Role of radiation therapy in management of pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma.

Although the incidence of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) has been declining in recent years, the uncommon and unfortunate progression to symptomatic pulmonary KS still represents a significant therapeutic challenge. Pulmonary KS generally occurs in the late stages of the disease. Review of the literature and of the experience of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Radiation Oncology Service suggests that early intervention with radiation therapy may provide palliation of the often distressing symptoms that herald KS-induced respiratory failure and may have a favorable impact on quality of life and survival time.