Kaposi's sarcoma after liver transplantation

Background: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), is a known complication following kidney transplantation. It has been reported more rarely following liver transplantation, Objective: To assess the clinico-epidemiologic data of KS after liver transplantation. Methods: 150 liver graft recipients were examined; those presenting with KS were studied clinically, histologically and virologically. Results: Three cases of KS were observed, The three patients had been treated with OKT3 antiserum in addition to the standard regimen, The delay of appearance varied from 5 to 36 months, Two patients had a few cutaneous lesions and I had more extensive involvement; none of them had visceral localizations, In 2 cases, herpesvirus-like DNA sequences were detected within the lesions, Therapy consisted in decreasing the immunosuppressive treatment, in association with a-interferon or vindesine in 2, cases, respectively. All patients were alive after a follow-up of 19-45 months. Conclusion: KS seems relatively frequent (2%) and appears within a short delay after liver transplantation; the prognosis may be more favourable than previously reported.