On the histological structure of Kaposi’s sarcoma

Abstract

Objective: to study the histological structure of various types of Kaposi’s sarcoma and the morphogenetic potentials of vascular cells in the tumor growth.

Materials and methods: results of the histological examination of Kaposi’s sarcoma from 5 patients have been analyzed: biopsies of the skin and subcutaneous tissue from 3 HIV-infected patients (2 men and 1 woman) and 1 man, a participator of the liquidation (dosimetrist) of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident in 1986. The tumor nodes of the Kaposi’s sarcoma of the stomach, lymphatic mesenteric node and dura mater of a 41-year-old woman who had died aft er allogeneic kidney transplantation due to glomerulonephritis were also examined while the skin was intact. Histological preparations were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, picrofuchsin according to Van Gieson, alcian blue and impregnated with silver according to Bilshovsky.

Results: it was confirmed that Kaposi’s sarcoma is the part of a multicentrally occurring viral lesion of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and internal organs caused by herpes infections of the 8th type on the background of immunosuppression. The entire process of tumor formation includes, besides the tumor growth, pre-tumor conditions (viral infection, chronic inflammation), and pre-tumor processes (intravascular neoplasia of low and high degree), which determining the diversity of the histological structure, clinical course, outcomes of neoplasms and complicates the correct diagnosis. The morphogenetic potentialities of endothelial and perithelial cells which make various variants of angiomatous structures, and also form spindle cell, myofibroblastic and fi broblastic components, are also important.

Conclusions: the fifth, not yet described in the literature, variant of Kaposi’s sarcoma is highlighted - radiation, due to exposure of radiation energy.