Kaposi’s sarcoma

It’s mainly seen in people with a poorly controlled or severe HIV infection. It can also affect some people who have a weakened immune system for another reason, as well as people who have a genetic vulnerability to the virus.



Over time, the patches may grow into lumps known as nodules and may merge into each other.

Internal organs can also be affected, including the lymph nodes, lungs and the digestive system, which can cause symptoms such as:

uncomfortable swelling in the arms or legs (lymphoedema) breathlessness, coughing up blood and chest pain nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhoea

The rate at which symptoms progress depends on the type of Kaposi’s sarcoma you have. Most types get worse quickly in a matter of weeks or months without treatment, but some progress very slowly over many years.

Symptoms

The most common initial symptom is the appearance of small, painless, flat and discoloured patches on the skin or inside the mouth. They’re usually red or purple and look similar to bruises.

Over time, the patches may grow into lumps known as nodules and may merge into each other.

Internal organs can also be affected, including the lymph nodes, lungs and the digestive system, which can cause symptoms such as:

uncomfortable swelling in the arms or legs (lymphoedema) breathlessness, coughing up blood and chest pain nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhoea

The rate at which symptoms progress depends on the type of Kaposi’s sarcoma you have. Most types get worse quickly in a matter of weeks or months without treatment, but some progress very slowly over many years.