Prognosis

In the US, the 5-year relative survival rates by stage for patients diagnosed with KS between 2012 and 2018 were as follows:[79]

  • All stages: 75%

  • Localised disease: 81%

  • Regional disease: 65%

  • Distant disease: 47%.

HIV-associated KS (formerly known as epidemic or AIDS-related KS)

The availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has substantially improved the prognosis of HIV-associated KS. Stage of KS at presentation is important; mortality rate is greater among those diagnosed with T1 disease than those with T0 disease at diagnosis.[51][80]

In AIDS patients not receiving ART, KS is a progressive disease with a median survival of weeks to months. Factors that portend a poor prognosis include visceral and pulmonary involvement and poor Karnofsky clinical performance.[5]

Classic (sporadic) KS

Classic KS has an indolent course with a median survival of years to decades. However, rapid disease with fatal visceral involvement may occur.

Iatrogenic (transplant-related) KS

KS associated with transplantation has a protracted but aggressive course with a median survival of months to years.[20] Progressive tumours will not spontaneously regress upon discontinuation of immunosuppression without additional treatment of KS.[5]

Endemic (observed in sub-Saharan Africa) KS

May have a low-malignant course or an aggressive course.[5] Lymphadenopathic disease in the paediatric population often has a poor prognosis.[5][21]

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