Background. Four epidemiologic types of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) are known:
classic KS, endemic African KS, epidemic or acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome-related KS, and KS associated with immunosuppressive therapy
. In most of the latter patients, KS was reported to have developed af
ter organ transplantation, particularly renal transplantation. Thirty-
nine patients who have not had a transplant have been reported to have
KS associated with corticosteroid therapy. Methods. The authors studi
ed 10 patients with the appearance of KS during corticosteroid therapy
(6 men, 4 women; age range, 42-79 years) who were treated with cortic
osteroids for autoimmune disorders (5 patients), lymphoproliferative d
isorders (2 patients), and diseases unrelated to the immune system (3
patients). Results. Genetically programmed susceptibility to corticost
eroid-related KS was suggested by the descent of the study patients as
well as most of those reported previously. The prognosis was guarded
in all the study patients. Conclusions. Corticosteroids should be with
drawn to achieve clinical remission.