Abstract

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a malignant vascular tumor caused by the Human Herpes Virus 8 (HHV8) or KS related herpes virus (KSHV), which usually involves the skin and can sometimes show systemic spread. Although it has different types, it can sometimes become a systemic disease by showing lymphatic and hematogenous spread. KS may be asymptomatic, with an absence of signs and symptoms. Purple, red colored lesions can be overlooked especially in the elderly or mixed with benign lesions such as hemangiomas. Family physicians should consider KS in purple lesions located in the lower limbs, especially in immunocompromised patients. In this case report, we aimed to remind that inspection is an important part of an examination, especially in elderly patients, and to present a KS case, which was noticed by coincidence in an 81-year-old patient.

Key words: Kaposi's sarcoma, herpes virus, HIV