Clinicopathological Proficiency in the Diagnosis of Kaposi's Sarcoma. (30th May 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Bogaert, Louis-Jacques
• Other Names: Gee K. Academic Editor.; Gray L. Academic Editor.; Petrovas C. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: ISRN AIDS. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-05-30
• Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; AIDS (Disease); Periodical; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.9792
• DOI: 10.5402/2012/565463
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-939X

Abstract

Abstract : Background . The prevalence of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), an AIDS-defining illness, has increased in parallel with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The presence of violaceous skin lesions should raise suspicion of KS. However, especially on dark skin, KS mimics a variety of non-KS skin conditions. Histologically, there is a wide range of expressions of KS and a large number of mimickers. For all these reasons, a HHV-8 immunohistochemically biopsy-proven diagnosis of KS should be the gold standard. Methods . Prospective study of 490 consecutive skin biopsies from the general community in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, from April 2010 through December 2011. Results. The clinical discordance rate (over-/underdiagnosis of KS) was 30.5%; the histological discordance rate was 9.2%. Conclusion . Because of the magnitude of diagnostic error, both clinical and histological, all clinical lesions suspicious of KS should be biopsied and HHV-8 LAN-1 immunophenotyped.