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Endemic (African) Kaposi sarcoma: Presenting as pathological fracture of left tibia and fibula

Sarcome de Kaposi endémique (africain) présentant une fracture pathologique du tibia et du péroné gauches

  • Case Report / Cas Clinique
  • Published:
Journal Africain du Cancer / African Journal of Cancer

Abstract

Kaposi sarcoma is a malignant vascular tumour of multifocal origin from undifferentiated vasoformative spindle cell. It presents frequently as cutaneous lesions, and musculoskeletal involvement is rare. Presented is a 52-year-old male farmer with inability to walk and pain of two months duration with cutaneous lesion noticed 3 years prior to presentation. Clinical, radiological and histopathological evaluation revealed cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma with a rare complication of pathological fracture of the left tibia and fibula with dystrophic calcification of the adjoining soft tissue. He had cytotoxic chemotherapy with poor outcome in cutaneous and skeletal lesions. Kaposi sarcoma if neglected presents with significant morbidity. Health promotion on early presentation and diagnosis are recommended for improved outcome.

Résumé

Le sarcome de Kaposi désigne une tumeur vasculaire maligne d’origine multiple située sur une cellule fusiforme vasoformative indifférenciée. Il se présente fréquemment sous forme de lésions cutanées, et les répercussions musculosquelettiques sont rares. Un fermier de 52 ans se trouvait dans l’incapacité de marcher et ressentait des douleurs depuis deux mois ; des lésions cutanées étaient apparues trois ans plus tôt. Les analyses cliniques, radiologiques et histopathologiques ont révélé un sarcome cutané de Kaposi associé à une rare complication d’une fracture pathologique du tibia et du péroné gauches présentant une calcification dystrophique des tissus mous adjacents. La chimiothérapie cytotoxique administrée n’a eu que de faibles résultats sur les lésions cutanées et squelettiques. Le sarcome de Kaposi, lorsqu’il est négligé, présente un taux de morbidité élevé. Il est recommandé de procéder à une promotion de la santé lors d’une présentation et d’un diagnostic précoces afin d’améliorer le pronostic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Calabar/University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

    M. E. Asuquo, V. I. C. Nwagbara, B. Edem & E. Japhet

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Calabar/University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

    G. Ebughe

Authors
  1. M. E. Asuquo
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  2. V. I. C. Nwagbara
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  3. G. Ebughe
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  4. B. Edem
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  5. E. Japhet
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Correspondence to M. E. Asuquo.

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Asuquo, M.E., Nwagbara, V.I.C., Ebughe, G. et al. Endemic (African) Kaposi sarcoma: Presenting as pathological fracture of left tibia and fibula. J Afr Cancer 6, 255–259 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12558-014-0346-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12558-014-0346-5

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