Kaposiʼs Sarcoma With Elephantiasis Associated With AIDS

Abstract

Nurses in many parts of the United States have limited experience in caring for patients with Kaposi's sarcoma. The severity of the disease can range from a few lesions to extensive cases with fungating, encrusted wounds. This case study describes the wound management of a 43-year-old patient with an advanced case of Kaposi's sarcoma with elephantiasis of the lower extremities. Use of a collaborative care approach resulted in dramatic improvement of this patient's wounds. Although the patient's serum albumin level remained low, no secondary skin breakdown or infection occurred.