Current classification for epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma (EKS)

The Epidemic Kaposi's Sarcoma (EKS), was at first described in 1980 in USA homosexual men and it involves more frequently homosexual than I.V. drug abusers (40% and 8% respectively). The clinical onset of EKS is a proteans, being, often, the presenting sign of HIV infection. The lesions may appear at any time in the course of the disease. In order to assess the clinical course of the tumor and to propose a therapeutic planning, from June 1991 to Sept. 1992, 296 patients were staged according to the Tumor, Immune System, Systemic illness (TIS) classification (C.) prosed by Krown (ACGT - USA), and modified by our work group. As regards this C. our results did not show any significant difference on 5-year survival in T1-T2 subgroups. A slight, although not significant difference, was observed comparing S0, S1, S2 subgroups. Conversely, significant survival differences were observed in I0-I1 subgroups.