[KAPOSI'S SARCOMA OF THE VULVA].

Kaposi's sarcoma represents multiple idiopathic hemorrhagic sarcoma--a mesenchymal tumor that affects the blood and lymph vessels. Its performance is associated with an infection with human herpes virus type 8--the so called KSHV (Kaposi's sarcoma -associated virus), and with the human immunodeficiency virus. Kaposi's sarcoma is considered as a typical clinical manifestation in male homosexuals suffering from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), while his performance in HIV-positive women is unusual, with a ratio of men to women--10-15: 1. Vulvar localization is much rarer. It is up to 5 times more frequent in HIV- positive patients. It is clinically represented in most of the cases by the clinical picture of nonspecific tumor mass. Biopsy and further virological testing for establishing KSHV in lesional tissue is essential for confirming the diagnosis. Serological testing for HIV/AIDS in affected patients is required. Local treatment includes surgical excision of solitary lesions, cryotherapy as well as radiotherapy. The use of interferon alpha resulted in complete remission in approximately 40% of the affected patients. New trends in treatment tend to be pathogenetically directed as in the process of studies to date are inhibitors of angiogenesis. Due to the rarity of the occurrence, non-specific clinical picture and histological findings, Kaposi's sarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumor masses with vulvar localization, especially in HIV-positive patients.