Korean J Dermatol.  2017 Nov;55(9):606-609.

A Case of Rapidly Progressive Kaposi's Sarcoma Induced by Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy

• Lee HY
• Woo CH
• Park HJ
• Haw S

Abstract

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a vascular neoplasm originating from vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells. Iatrogenic KS mainly develops in organ transplant patients or after receiving immunosuppressive therapy. An 81-year-old man presented with multiple dark-purplish nodules, plaques, and patches on the right leg for 3 weeks. Previously, the patient was treated with prednisolone 10∼30 mg/day for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for 3 months, and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed 1 month previously for the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease. A biopsy specimen of the nodule showed closely packed spindle cells forming slit-like vascular structures, which were consistent with KS. Despite the dosage reduction of prednisolone for treatment, the skin lesions progressed aggressively throughout the entire body, and the patient died after 5 months. We report a case of iatrogenic prednisolone-associated KS rapidly progressing to the entire body shortly thereafter.

Keyword

Kaposi sarcoma; Iatrogenic disease; Glucocorticoids

MeSH Terms

Aged, 80 and over
Angioplasty
Arterial Occlusive Diseases
Biopsy
Endothelial Cells
Glucocorticoids
Humans
Iatrogenic Disease
Leg
Prednisolone
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
Sarcoma, Kaposi*
Skin
Transplants
Vascular Neoplasms
Glucocorticoids
Prednisolone