A CASE OF KAPOSI'S SARCOMA WITH COLONIC INVOLVEMENT

Abstract

We report a case of Kaposi's sarcoma with colonic involvement. In July 1986, a 68-year-old man was admitted in the Department of Dermatology because of a 15-month history of progressive, painful and purple skin lesions affecting both feet and arms. Accosding to biopsies from his skin, the diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcora was comfirmed. His HTLVIII antigen was serologically negative. After the chemotherapy with Vinblantine and β-interferon for 10 months, he complained of abdominal discomfort and had hemoccult positive in the stool. Colonoscopic examination revealed numerous, reddish and sessile polypoid lesions in the left-sided colon, measuring 0.5 cm to 1.0 cm in diameter. Some polyps had central ulcerations. Barium enema examination also revealed some polypoid lesions at the same portion. Biopsy finding from colonic lesions showed the pathological pattern of Kaposi's sarcoma. Colonoscopic examination and biopsy study are very useful for making the diagnosis of the Kaposi's sarcoma patients with abdominal symptoms.