Does Kaposi sarcoma affect the lungs?

Kaposi sarcoma is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the skin or mucous membranes that line the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from mouth to anus, including the stomach and intestines. These tumors appear as purple patches or nodules on the skin and/or mucous membranes and can spread to lymph nodes and lungs.

What are spindle cells in Kaposi sarcoma?

Spindle cells, which exhibit a typical spindle-shaped morphology, are considered as the tumor cells of the four forms of Kaposi’s sarcoma. Spindle cells originate from an endothelium lymphatic lineage. Most, if not all, of the spindle cells are infected in vivo by human herpesvirus 8.

What is Pulmonary Kaposi sarcoma?

Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) is a cancerous tumor of the connective tissue involving blood and lymphatic vessels. KS is often associated with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). When KS occurs in the lungs, it is referred to as Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) or Kaposi’s sarcoma with pulmonary involvement.

What cells are affected by Kaposi sarcoma?

Kaposi sarcoma is caused by human herpesvirus 8, also known as Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus. This virus infects the epithelial cells, causing them to divide uncontrollably.

What are spindle cells?

(SPIN-dul sel TOO-mer) A type of tumor that contains cells called spindle cells, based on their shape. Under a microscope, spindle cells look long and slender. Spindle cell tumors may be sarcomas or carcinomas.

What are spindle cells and their function?

Spindle cells, named after their long, spindle-shaped bodies, are the cells that are credited with allowing us to feel love and to suffer emotionally. Their discovery in whales will stimulate debate both on the level of whale intelligence and on the ethics of hunting them.

Which part of the body is the origin of Kaposi sarcoma?

Kaposi sarcoma generally develops in tissue located below the skin’s surface or in the lining of the mouth, nose, or anus. Areas where tissues have abnormal changes are known as Kaposi sarcoma lesions. These lesions usually appear on the skin as raised blotches or nodules.

What clinical condition is associated with Kaposi’s sarcoma?

Epidemic (AIDS-related) Kaposi sarcoma This entity occurs in patients with advanced HIV infection and is the most common presentation of Kaposi sarcoma. It is an AIDS-defining cancer, and is approximately 500 times more common in HIV-infected patients than the general US population.

How long does Kaposi sarcoma take to develop?

Classic Kaposi sarcoma is more common in men than in women, and lesions may develop slowly over a period of 10 to 15 years.

What are spindle cell sarcomas?

Spindle cell sarcomas including dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, fibrosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, and angiosarcoma

What is the pathophysiology of Kaposi sarcoma?

Kaposi sarcoma is highly associated with patients with retroviral disease, typically involving the skin. It is a low-to-intermediate grade mesenchymal tumor that involves the lymphovascular system. Rarely it occurs in other organs, such as the lungs.

What is the arrangement of spindle cells?

The spindle cells are arranged in densely packed, interlacing fascicles and sheets of spindle cells with overlapping nuclei. The nuclei are variably ovoid and spindled and are vesicular or hyperchromatic; cytoplasm is scant and cell borders are indistinct ( Fig. 22.17 ).

What is desmoplastic or spindle cell melanoma?

Desmoplastic or spindle cell melanoma: May show reactivity for melanoma markers, almost always negative for muscle markers SS is a spindle cell sarcoma and tumors composed solely of spindle cell morphology are referred to as monophasic SS (Fig. 22.15 ). Tumors with additional epithelial differentiation are referred to as biphasic SS ( Fig. 22.16 ).