Case Report
Copyright ©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 7, 2007; 13(33): 4514-4516
Published online Sep 7, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i33.4514
Intestinal Kaposi’s sarcoma may mimic gastrointestinal stromal tumor in HIV infection
A Zoufaly, S Schmiedel, AW Lohse, J van Lunzen
A Zoufaly, S Schmiedel, AW Lohse, Department of Medicine 1, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
J van Lunzen, Infectious Diseases Unit, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Jan van Lunzen, Infectious Diseases Unit, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg 20251, Germany. v.lunzen@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Telephone: +49-40-428032831 Fax: +49-40-428035187
Received: January 5, 2007
Revised: January 25, 2007
Accepted: January 23, 2007
Published online: September 7, 2007
Abstract

Diffuse intestinal Kaposi's sarcoma shares macroscopic and histopathologic features with gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Correct diagnosis may pose a clinical challenge. We describe the case of a young HIV-1-infected African lady without advanced immunodeficiency, who presented with a diffuse spindle cell tumor of the gut. Initial diagnosis was of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor, based on endoscopy and histopathology. Further evaluation revealed evidence for human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) and the diagnosis had to be changed to diffuse intestinal Kaposi’s sarcoma. Antiretroviral triple therapy together with chemotherapy was commenced, and has led to the rapid remission of intestinal lesions. With a background of HIV infection, the presence of HHV8 as the causative agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma should be determined, as distinct treatment is indicated.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor, Kaposi’s sarcoma, HIV infection, Human herpesvirus 8, c-kit