Radiation therapy in epidemic, AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma in southern Africa.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) associated Kaposi's Sarcoma (EKS) is widely spread in the Southern African Region. No large studies concerning the role of radiation therapy in the Southern African variant of EKS have been reported to date.

METHODS

Over a 10 year period (1982-1992) 25 patients with EKS (disseminated skin involvement) were treated primarily with radiation therapy at the Johannesburg General Hospital. Radiation fields were individually tailored to the extent of the disease. Total administered doses ranged between 8-12 Gy (single fraction) to 24-30 Gy fractionated over 2-3 weeks.

RESULTS

Overall response and symptomatic relief rates were 72% and 80%, respectively. Toxicity was mild and manageable.

CONCLUSIONS

Our retrospective analysis supports the use of radiation therapy for the Southern African type of EKS.