Kaposi's Sarcoma

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Kaposi's (kuh-poe-zees) sarcoma (sar-ko-muh) is also called "KS." It is a skin cancer that people with AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency (ih-mew-no-duh-fish-in-c) syndrome (sin-drom) may get. Scientists think that KS is probably caused by a virus (germ). Most people who get KS have a weakened immune system. This system is the part of your body that fights infection.
  
  
• This cancer may first show up on the face, legs or mouth as purple spots or skin sores. You can also get KS in your lungs, liver, or other organs. Chemotherapy (kee-mo-thair-uh-p), radiation (ra-d-a-shun), or surgery may be used to treat KS. You may need to go into the hospital for tests and treatment.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

• Keep a written list of what medicines you take and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking it until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-ah-tiks), take them until they are all gone even if you feel better.
  
  
• If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Appointment:

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Resting: You may feel like resting more. Match your activity to the amount of energy you have. Nap a couple of times during the day. Going to bed early and getting up late may also help.

Support: Accepting that you have KS is hard. You and those close to you may feel scared, depressed, angry, or sad. These are normal feelings. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings and let them help you. You may also want to join a cancer or AIDS support group. This is a group of people who also have cancer or AIDS. For more information, call or write the following organizations.

• American Cancer Society
  Phone: 1-800-227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• National Cancer Institute
  Phone: 1-800-422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.gov
  

• The Skin Cancer Foundation
  245 5th Avenue, Suite 1403
  New York, NY 10016
  Phone: 1-800-754-6490
  Web Address: www.skincancer.org
  

Wellness Hints:

• Eat healthy foods from all of the 5 food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. It may also help you heal faster. Ask your caregiver if you need a special diet after surgery.
  
  
• Drink 6 to 8 (soda pop can size) glasses of liquid each day. Or, follow your caregiver's advice if you are on a fluid limit. Good liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. Limit the amount of caffeine you drink such as coffee, tea, and soda.
  
  
• Stress may slow healing and cause illness later. Since it is hard to avoid stress, learn to control it. Learn new ways to relax (deep breathing, relaxing muscles, music, meditation, or biofeedback). Talk to someone about things that upset you.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms. This may mean you are allergic (uh-ler-jik) to your medicine.
  
  
• You have a cough.
  
  
• You are having problems eating or swallowing.
  
  
• Your legs are swollen and you are having problems walking.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your illness or medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You are having breathing problems.
  
  
• You have vomited (thrown up) and see blood in the vomit.
  
  
• Your BM is all black or all red.
  
  
• You are too dizzy or too weak to stand up.
  
  
• You have trouble thinking clearly.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page