Am I at Risk for Kaposi’s Sarcoma?

Certain factors can make one person more likely to get Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) than another person. These are called risk factors. However, just because you have one or more risk factors does not mean you will definitely get KS. In fact, you can have all of the risk factors and still not develop the disease. On the other hand, you can have no risk factors and still get KS. Tell your doctor if you agree with any of the bolded statements.

I have HIV or AIDS.

The main risk factor for AIDS-related KS is being HIV positive or having AIDS.

I have a weak immune system.

A weakened immune system increases your risk for KS. A weakened immune system may be from having AIDS or using immunosuppressive drugs.

I am a gay or bisexual man.

Men have a greater chance than women of getting AIDS-related KS. Gay and bisexual men are more at risk than straight men. Gay and bisexual men with HIV are the people most likely to get KS.

I have human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8).

New studies show that 90% to 100% of KS tumors contain a virus called human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also called Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV). HHV-8 is related to other herpes viruses, such as those that cause genital herpes. Scientists are not sure how HHV-8 helps KS develop. They think that it may promote KS cells to multiply, and leads them to produce self-enhancing materials, called cytokines. Cytokines are proteins made mostly by white blood cells that act as messengers between cells.

The HHV-8 virus is often found in people without KS. Its presence may suggest an increased risk for getting KS in the future.

I have a sexually transmitted disease or practice risky sexual behaviors. Having a sexually transmitted disease and many sexual partners increases your risk of getting HIV and AIDS. Therefore, it also increases your risk of getting KS.

I have a family history of KS. Researchers are trying to find out whether something in the genes gives certain people a higher chance of getting KS. They have not yet determined whether genes are involved in KS.