Kaposi Sarcoma in A HIV Positive Nigerian Child: A Case Report

AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma is a malignancy thought to arise from endothelial cells. It is the commonest malignancy seen in HIV infected patients. In the USA, it was the initial presentation in 15% of homosexual men. In Africa, it is common in heterosexual adults. Compared to other regions, it is reported to be higher in East Africa. Positivity to human herpes virus 8(HHV8) is known to predate the development of Kaposi sarcoma by 5-10 years. This interval is further shortened in patients who have HIV infection prior to seroconversion to HHV8 positivity. The disease usually develops in HIV infected patients with severe immunodeficiency. Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is extremely rare among children in the developed countries and was rare in the developing countries prior to the AIDS epidemic. We report here, a 6year old female who presented with severe weight loss, swellings in oropharyngeal region with significant lymphadenopathy in the neck, axillary and inguinal regions. Histopathological studies confirmed the diagnosis of Kaposi sarcoma.