Revista da Sociedade Portuguesa de Dermatologia e Venereologia (Oct 2019)

Kaposi Sarcoma in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A challenging Case

  • Daniela Macedo,
  • Pedro Miguel Garrido,
  • Isabel Fernandes,
  • Alice Santana,
  • José Guerra,
  • João Borges-Costa

DOI
https://doi.org/10.29021/spdv.77.3.1085
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 77, no. 3

Abstract

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Kaposi sarcoma is a low-grade vascular tumor, associated with human herpesvirus-8 infection. Solid organ transplant recipients have a much higher risk of this malignancy, with estimated incidence rates increased 84 to 500 times. The risk is even higher in some ethnic groups, already with a higher incidence of this disease. We report a case of a 37-year-old African male, a kidney transplant recipient, with a Kaposi sarcoma refractory to different treatment options. The present case puts in evidence the challenges associated with the management of this disease in this high-risk population and highlights the role of a multidisciplinary approach to achieve effective treatment, particularly in advanced and refractory forms.

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