Kaposi's Sarcoma

What can be done to prevent the disease?

There is no known prevention other than avoiding HIV infection. For people at risk, it is important to find the KS early. This means skin areas and mouth should be regularly inspected by the person at risk and a healthcare provider to find the lesions while they are still small.

What are the long-term effects of the disease?

If cancer is not successfully treated, it will spread in people with compromised immune systems. The spread of the cancer can destroy tissue around and press on other structures. If the cancer spreads to organs like the lungs, it will cause death.

What are the risks to others?

KS cannot be spread to others. If the person is infected by HIV, the infection may be spread to other if precautions are not taken to prevent it. The HIV infection places the person at risk.