Kaposi Sarcoma - Diagnosis
The lesions associated with Kaposi's sarcoma can often be mistaken for symptoms of other diseases such as fungal infections, benign or another type of cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Therefore, the doctor will need to know in detail the family background of the person, including lifestyle and sexuality, and may recommend an HIV test on the person. After a physical exam, usually proceed to a biopsy.

During a biopsy punch, it only takes a small tissue sample, whereas in the excisional biopsy, we remove the entire lesion. In the presence of a large number of injuries, we can perform a biopsy on several of them to check if they are all the same kind. In general, excision biopsy is performed when there are one or two small lesions only.

Other tests or examinations that could be useful to the doctor:
  • Examination of the mouth to check for lesions on the palate, tongue, gums or tonsils
  • rectal examination to check for lesions in the anus
  • endoscopy, performed using a flexible tube (with a small light and a display unit) which allows to see the lining of the esophagus and stomach
  • barium enema X-ray that allows doctors to monitor the flow of barium along the colon
  • sigmoidoscopy, which involves using an endoscope or sigmoidoscope to view the lining of the rectum and colon
  • chest x-ray to see if there are lesions in the lungs
  • CT, which is looking for lesions and other abnormalities
  • bronchoscopy, which uses a small tube to see inside lungs
  • lung biopsy, if there is damage in the lungs, a sample of lung tissue can be collected using the bronchoscope, for microscopic examination
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