BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), is a known complication following kidney transplantation. It has been reported more rarely following liver transplantation. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinico-epidemiologic data of KS after liver transplantation. METHODS: 150 liver graft recipients were examined; those presenting with KS were studied clinically, histologically and virologically. RESULTS: Three cases of KS were observed. The three patients had been treated with OKT3 antiserum in addition to the standard regimen. The delay of appearance varied from 5 to 36 months. Two patients had a few cutaneous lesions and 1 had more extensive involvement; none of them had visceral localizations. In 2 cases, herpesvirus-like DNA sequences were detected within the lesions. Therapy consisted in decreasing the immunosuppressive treatment, in association with alpha-interferon or vindesine in 2 cases, respectively. All patients were alive after a follow-up of 19-45 months. CONCLUSION: KS seems relatively frequent (2%) and appears within a short delay after liver transplantation; the prognosis may be more favourable than previously reported.
BACKGROUND:Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), is a known complication following kidney transplantation. It has been reported more rarely following liver transplantation. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinico-epidemiologic data of KS after liver transplantation. METHODS: 150 liver graft recipients were examined; those presenting with KS were studied clinically, histologically and virologically. RESULTS: Three cases of KS were observed. The three patients had been treated with OKT3 antiserum in addition to the standard regimen. The delay of appearance varied from 5 to 36 months. Two patients had a few cutaneous lesions and 1 had more extensive involvement; none of them had visceral localizations. In 2 cases, herpesvirus-like DNA sequences were detected within the lesions. Therapy consisted in decreasing the immunosuppressive treatment, in association with alpha-interferon or vindesine in 2 cases, respectively. All patients were alive after a follow-up of 19-45 months. CONCLUSION: KS seems relatively frequent (2%) and appears within a short delay after liver transplantation; the prognosis may be more favourable than previously reported.