page_title: Kaposi's sarcoma
section_title: Mouth
hierarchical_section_title: Kaposi's sarcoma / Signs and symptoms / Mouth
caption_attribution_description: English: This HIV-positive patient presented with an intraoral Kaposi’s sarcoma lesion with an overlying candidiasis infection. This AIDS patient exhibited a CD4+ T-cell count &lt;200, and a high viral load. Initially, the KS lesions are flattened and red, but as they age they become raised, and darker, tending to a purple coloration.
context_page_description: Kaposi's sarcoma is a type of cancer that can form masses in the skin, lymph nodes, or other organs. The skin lesions are usually purple in color. They can occur singularly, in a limited area, or be widespread. It may worsen either gradually or quickly. Lesions may be flat or raised. Human herpesvirus 8 is found in the lesions of all those who are affected. Risk factors include poor immune function, either as a result of disease or specific medications, and chronic lymphedema.
  Four sub-types are described: classic, endemic, immunosuppression therapy-related, and epidemic. Classic KS tends to affect older men, be slow growing, and affect the legs. Endemic KS occurs in young adult males in Africa and can be more aggressive. Immunosuppression therapy-related KS generally occurs in people following organ transplantation and mostly affects the skin. Epidemic KS occurs in people with AIDS and many parts of the body can be affected. The diagnosis is by tissue biopsy while the extent of disease may be determined by medical imaging.
  Treatment is based on the sub-type, whether the condition is localized or widespread, and the person's immune function.
context_section_description: The mouth is involved in about 30% of cases, and is the initial site in 15% of AIDS-related KS. In the mouth, the hard palate is most frequently affected, followed by the gums. Lesions in the mouth may be easily damaged by chewing and bleed or suffer secondary infection, and even interfere with eating or speaking.
caption: An HIV-positive person presenting with a Kaposi's sarcoma lesion with an overlying candidiasis infection in their mouth
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