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Coexistence of Kaposi’s sarcoma and psoriasis: is there a hidden relationship?

  • Clinical Report
  • Published:
European Journal of Dermatology

Abstract

Background

The relationship between Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) and psoriasis is still controversial.

Objectives

To analyse the association between KS and psoriasis, address the hypothesis of a reciprocal influence between the two conditions relative to clinical presentation and evolution, and consider the best therapeutic approach to be used for the treatment of psoriasis in KS patients in order to avoid the typical induction or worsening of KS during immunosuppression.

Materials & Methods

We retrospectively reviewed clinical records of 37 patients with KS and psoriasis. Fisher’s exact test was performed in order to compare epidemiological and clinical data between subsets of patients.

Results

The prevalence of psoriasis in our KS population (n = 1407) was 2.6%. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of stage or rate of progression between KS patients with and without psoriasis, except for a higher frequency of patients with KS Stage IIB among patients with KS and psoriasis (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients with psoriasis have a risk of KS comparable to that of the general population. Psoriasis and KS do not appear to influence each other. For the treatment of psoriasis in KS patients, one should take into account the KS-inducing potential of certain anti-psoriatic drugs.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Pace, 9, 20122, Milan, Italy

    Lucia Brambilla, Giovanni Genovese & Athanasia Tourlaki

  2. University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono, 7, 20122, Milan, Italy

    Silvia Della Bella

  3. Lab of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni, 56, 20089, Rozzano, Italy

    Silvia Della Bella

Authors
  1. Lucia Brambilla
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  2. Giovanni Genovese
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  3. Athanasia Tourlaki
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  4. Silvia Della Bella
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Correspondence to Giovanni Genovese.

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Brambilla, L., Genovese, G., Tourlaki, A. et al. Coexistence of Kaposi’s sarcoma and psoriasis: is there a hidden relationship?. Eur J Dermatol 28, 320–325 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2018.3288

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2018.3288

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