Symptoms and Complications
As AIDS became more prevalent, doctors became more aware of the appearance of Kaposi's sarcoma lesions. Sometimes, the appearance of the lesions is the first clue that the person may have HIV or the condition it causes - AIDS.
Kaposi's sarcoma can appear as bluish-red spots or lesions on the skin, which can be flat or slightly raised. They're usually colorless at first, and only develop the bluish-red tones later on. The lesions can develop anywhere on the body but are most often found on the face (especially the ears, mouth, and tip of the nose), legs and feet, and genital area. For those with dark-colored skin, the lesions may appear dark brown or black. The lesions aren't itchy or painful, nor do they drain or bleed.
Kaposi's sarcoma may also appear as lesions on the palate or roof of the mouth, tongue, gums or tonsils, or as gastrointestinal (stomach or intestine) lesions that bleed. Lung involvement can also occur, and may look like an infection or other forms of lung cancer.
Other symptoms connected with Kaposi's sarcoma include:
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- blood in the sputum
- swollen lymph nodes
Kaposi's sarcoma can recur easily, despite treatment and remission. It can also affect the lungs and liver.
If the lesions remain isolated on the skin, Kaposi's sarcoma isn't a life-threatening illness. If, however, it attacks the inner organs, including the lungs, brain, and gastrointestinal tract, Kaposi's sarcoma can be fatal.
The appearance of Kaposi's sarcoma among people who have AIDS is often a sign that the disease is progressing. Treatment and remission (absence of any signs or symptoms of the disease) of Kaposi's sarcoma doesn't seem to help against the prognosis of AIDS.