OBJECTIVETo improve the knowledge of Kaposi sarcoma and the relationship between Kaposi sarcoma and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and to improve the ability to diagnose and treat Kaposi sarcoma and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

METHODSSymptoms, signs and results of 121 patients encountered in the department of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery in Tanzania, who was diagnosed as Kaposi sarcoma actually with HIV infection and AIDS, were retrospectively analyzed in this study.

RESULTSThere were 46 males and 75 females with age ranged from 5 to 65 years, medium 30 year. The mucous membranes and skin lesions was the most commonly seen clinical manifestation in 121 cases, these lesions appeared as raised blotches or lumps that might be purple, brown, or red, early stages typical lesions began as flat or slightly raised colored spots. Among the cases reported here, 25 patients (20.66%) showed progressive nose blockage and nose bleeding and the purple-red new-grows were found in the nose of these patients. Fifteen patients (12.40%) had flat or slightly raised colored spots in their mucous membrane of mouth (palate or tongue), and in other 7 patients, purple small lumps were found in the gums of the patients. There were same lesions in their pharynx in 9 cases. In 10 patients (8.26%), Kaposi sarcoma was found in tonsil looked like tonsillitis with enlarged tonsils by two to three degree. Twelve patients (9.92%) had masses in the neck with no pain. Thirty-five patients (28.92%)had lesions of purple black nodules, including 10 patients who had the same lesions with ulcer formation in the nodules. All patients had been followed-up for at least two-years. Eighty-five patients passed away in one year, survival rate of one year was 21.48% (26/121), only 12 patients survived from the disease over two years, two years' survival rate was 9.92% (12/121).

CONCLUSIONSKaposi sarcoma is the characteristic disease for AIDS, mainly found on the membranes and skin. These lesions appears as raised blotches or lumps that may be purple, brown, or red, early stages typical lesions begin as flat or slightly raised colored spots. Patients who had kaposi sarcoma often died in a short-time without treatment.