Kaposi's sarcoma risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Haytham Allaham, M.D. [2] Amandeep Singh M.D.[3] Huda A. Karman, M.D.

Overview

Common risk factor in the development of Kaposi’s sarcoma is immune deficiency state, multiple sexual partners, homosexual males, and medical procedures such as blood transfusions and organ transplantation.

Risk Factors


Risk Factor	Description

Gender	Males are more commonly affected with Kaposi’s sarcoma than females.
Sexual preference	Both homosexual individuals and individuals with multiple sexual partners are at increased risk to develop Kaposi’s sarcoma.
Immune deficiency state	AIDS patients and patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy are at increased risk to develop Kaposi’s sarcoma.
Medical procedures	Patients receiving blood transfusions or organ transplantations are at increased risk to develop Kaposi’s sarcoma.
Ethnicity	Individuals of a Jewish, Mediterranean, and African descent are at increased risk to develop Kaposi’s sarcoma.

References

↑ Goedert JJ, Vitale F, Lauria C, Serraino D, Tamburini M, Montella M, Messina A, Brown EE, Rezza G, Gafà L, Romano N (November 2002). “Risk factors for classical Kaposi’s sarcoma”. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 94 (22): 1712–8. PMID 12441327.
↑ Iscovich J, Boffetta P, Franceschi S, Azizi E, Sarid R (February 2000). “Classic kaposi sarcoma: epidemiology and risk factors”. Cancer. 88 (3): 500–17. PMID 10649240.

Overview