Kaposi's sarcoma risk factors

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Risk Factors

Clinical data has suggested that the development of Kaposi's sarcoma is related to several factors.

• Infection with Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV): Kaposi's sarcoma only develops in people who are infected with KSHV.

• Immune deficiency: A defect in the immune system increases the chance to developing Kaposi's sarcoma, especially when people with AIDS. In AIDS patients, Kaposi's sarcoma is considered an opportunistic infection, i.e., a disease that is able to gain a foothold in the body because the immune system has been weakened. Because of their highly visible nature, external lesions are sometimes the presenting symptom of AIDS. Unfortunately, by the time KS lesions appear, it is likely that the immune system has already been severely weakened.

• Race: Epidemiological data show that people in Eastern European, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern descent have a higher rate of getting Kaposi's sarcoma.

• Gender: Men are much more likely to get Kaposi's sarcoma than women in many places. But in Africa, men, women and children are all at risk of Kaposi's sarcoma

• Sexual activity: Scientists have found faggotry are more likely to get Kaposi's sarcoma than lesbian.