Kaposi's sarcoma: a population-based cancer registry descriptive study of 57 consecutive cases diagnosed between 1977 and 2009

BackgroundThere are few epidemiological data available on rare skin cancer, including Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), which is a multifocal illness affecting the skin, mucosa, and viscera. Four different types of KS have been described: classic, AIDS-associated, iatrogenic, and African. The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiology and evolution of the different types of KS in the Doubs region of France. Patients and methodsA retrospective population-based study was conducted, including 57 patients with KS from the Doubs region between 1977 and 2009. These patients were identified by the tumor registry of the Doubs region. ResultsA larger proportion of AIDS-associated KS (61%) was observed compared to classic KS (30%) and iatrogenic KS (9%). No cases of African KS were observed. Most new cases were observed between 1987 and 1996 due to the AIDS explosion. The patients were predominantly male, with a male/female ratio at 10:4 (34 for AIDS-associated KS). The mean age of patients was 50.2 (higher in classic and iatrogenic KS and lower in AIDS-associated KS). Mucosal and visceral forms were more common in AIDS-associated KS, explaining the higher rate of mortality due to KS (21%). ConclusionKS, which used to be a rare illness, as it existed only in the classic form, has become more common since the appearance of HIV and, to a lesser extent, of immunosuppressive treatment.