Korean J Med.  2014 Feb;86(2):247-252.

A Case of Etoposide Therapy in a Patient Newly Diagnosed with Classic Kaposi's Sarcoma and Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Choi NY
• Park SA
• Han BR
• Kim HY
• Min SK
• Kim HJ
• Zang DY

Abstract

Kaposi's sarcoma typically occurs in immunocompromised patients, especially those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may play important roles in the development of Kaposi's sarcoma. We report the case of a 75-year-old male who presented with progressive multiple purplish papules and nodules on the skin for 3 months. Social and past medical histories seemed incompatible with an immunesuppressed condition and tests for HIV antibodies and HHV-8 were negative. He was newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, according to the 2010 ACR-EULAR criteria. Typical findings of Kaposi's sarcoma were confirmed by biopsy. After treatment with metronomic oral etoposide 25 mg once daily for 9 months, the skin lesions had almost resolved with no serious complication. Thus, we report a rare case of Kaposi's sarcoma developing in a patient with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis who showed a good response to oral etoposide.

Keyword

HIV; Sarcoma, Kaposi; Herpesvirus 8, Human; Etoposide; Arthritis, Rheumatoid

MeSH Terms

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Aged
Arthritis, Rheumatoid*
Biopsy
Etoposide*
Herpesvirus 8, Human
HIV
HIV Antibodies
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Male
Sarcoma, Kaposi*
Skin
Etoposide
HIV Antibodies