Treatment options for Classic Kaposi's

Abstract

AbstractIntroduction: Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS) is an angioproliferative disease, which affects the skin and mucous membranes and KS tumours usually follow an indolent course of progression and patients present with asymptomatic papules or nodules that are commonly found in the lower limbs. Radiation therapy is the most common form of treatment due to the disease response rates. Case presentation: In November 2008, a 58‐year‐old male patient presented to the Nepean Cancer Care Centre (NCCC) clinic with small nodules on the right second and left fifth toes. The patient was presented with clinical care options of observation, radiation therapy to the individual lesions, surgery or chemotherapy. The patient chose to have the nodules treated, due to the slow growing nature of the disease and proceeded to a superficial radiation therapy dose of 27 Gy in 15 fractions. In January 2009, the patient returned with a nodule on the right third toe. As the patient was moving interstate, 20 Gy in 10 fractions was delivered to both feet. Conclusion: The patient discussed in this case report tolerated all treatment procedures with minimal side effects. The majority of lesions remain inactive with no long term side effects. This case required an innovative approach to patient set‐up to this unusual treatment area to allow precise treatment delivery.