Kaposi’s Sarcoma - A Rare Cancer Associated with AIDS

To give you some foundational information, cancer begins when normal cells in your body change and grow to form a mass, called a tumor. At this point a tumor can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign) which means it won’t spread to other parts of your body.

What is Kaposi’s sarcoma?

A sarcoma is a specific type of cancer that develops from bone or soft tissues such as fat, muscle, blood vessels, nerves and skin tissues. Kaposi’s sarcoma is a very rare type of cancer seen in older people but can also be commonly associated with HIV and/or AIDS or in people with immune system disorders.

Research has found that this type of cancer is caused by a herpes virus and affects eight times more men than women. The disease is associated with purple grape-like lesions in the skin and can be found on many areas of the body, including the soles of the feet. These spots are usually painless and can be red, purple, bluish or brown depending on your skin color.

Each case of Kaposi’s sarcoma is different. In some patients, the lesions can grow slowly over time while others may see lesions grow and multiply quickly. In most cases though, the lesions do grow in size and number and over time can form in other parts of the body as well. Pressure from the lesions can affect circulation leading to painful swelling in legs and feet.

Most people in today’s day and age can name someone they know that has been affected by cancer. Don’t take chances - if you notice any new spot or questionable symptom on your feet or ankles, please contact Houston Foot Specialists today. Early intervention is often the key to successful treatment. Call foot specialist, Dr. Jeff Bowman at (713) 467-8886 or make an appointment online.

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