For many years during the early stages of the AIDS epidemic, the cause of KS was unknown. A number of viruses were detected as possible causes. They include a cytomegalovirus and human papilloma virus, fragments of which have been found in KS tumor specimens. However, in 1995, researchers at Columbia University in New York found that a virus belonging to the herpes family was frequently associated with the tumor. Human herpes virus-8 is the eighth known herpes virus and is capable of producing angiogenesis.
Angiogenesis is the formation of blood vessels.
Oral KS has a variety of clinical presentations. The palate is the most commonly affected area but the gingiva and other oral sites can also be involved. Lesions are represented by red or purple macules, papules, or nodules, isolated or occurring in different sites simultaneously. Biopsy is the indicated diagnostic procedure. Lesions are generally asymptomatic.