GASTROSCOPIC FINDINGS IN MEDITERRANEAN KAPOSIS-SARCOMA (NON-AIDS)

The frequency and degree of gastrointestinal involvement in patients w ith Mediterranean Kaposi's sarcoma (non-AIDS), a newly recognized form of Kaposi's sarcoma, is unknown. Eighty-seven patients with Mediterra nean Kaposi's sarcoma proven by skin and/or nodal biopsy underwent end oscopic study of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Of these, 71 (81.6% ) had gastrointestinal lesions. Ail these patients had lesions in the stomach. Additional lesions were detected in the esophagus in 19 patie nts and in the proximal duodenum in 8 patients, whereas additional les ions in both the esophagus and duodenum were identified in 2 patients. The lesions were classified into 4 types according to their size, sha pe, and color. Most types of lesions showed characteristic discolorati on, but lesions with the appearance and color of normal mucosa that hi stologically were shown to be Kaposi's sarcoma were also identified. T he high prevalence of gastrointestinal involvement in patients with Me diterranean Kaposi's sarcoma (non-AIDS) suggests that an endoscopic ex amination of the upper gastrointestinal tract may be useful in non-AID S-related forms of Kaposi's sarcoma.