[Kaposi's sarcoma: epidemiological, clinical, anatomopathological and therapeutic features in 75 patients].

BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a mutifocal angiogenic process characterized by cellular and vascular proliferation. AIM: To identify the epidemio-clinical, histological and therapeutic features of KS. METHODS: Retrospective study of 75 cases of KS at the dermatology department of Rabta hospital in Tunis during a period of 25 years (1982-2007). RESULTS: Three epidemio-clinical forms of KS were observed in our study: the classic KS (70 cases), the AIDS-related KS (4 cases) and the iatrogenic KS (1 case). The mean age of our patients at diagnosis was 69.16 years with a sex ratio of 2.33. Elective site of cutaneous lesions in the classic KS was the limbs (87.1%). The cephalic part was concerned in 17.1% of cases. Mucosal involvement was found in 28.5% of patients. Extra dermatological localizations of KS were observed in 32.9%. CONCLUSION: Our study identified some epidemio-clinical features of the classic KS especially the high frequency of mucosal and cephalic involvement as well as extra dermatological localizations. Thus further exploration is required even without alarm signs.