Pulmonary capillary blood volume in patients with probable pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma.

BACKGROUND An increase in pulmonary capillary blood volume secondary to angiogenesis has been described in Kaposi's sarcoma. The value of the pulmonary capillary blood volume as an early marker of pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma was evaluated. METHODS In a prospective study 45 HIV positive patients (nine asymptomatic for Kaposi's sarcoma, 29 with cutaneous or mucocutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma, and seven with pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma), underwent pulmonary function tests and determination of transfer capacity for carbon monoxide (TLCO) with its components, pulmonary capillary volume and membrane factor. RESULTS Total lung capacity (TLC), TLCO, and its components were similar in the three groups. TLCO was normal in patients with pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma and no changes in membrane factor or pulmonary capillary volume were observed. CONCLUSION Pulmonary function tests and pulmonary capillary volume alone are not useful for identifying patients with pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma.