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Am J Perinatol 2004; 21(6): 355-363
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-831880
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Pulmonary Kaposi's Sarcoma In Pregnancy

Ann E. Bryant1 , Mehmet Genc1 , Rocío M. Hurtado2 , 3 , Katherine T. Chen1
  • 1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
  • 2Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
  • 3Division of Infectious Disease at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Publication History

Publication Date:
16 August 2004 (online)

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Kaposi's sarcoma in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -infected women, often misdiagnosed, has an aggressive clinical course, with high rates of visceral involvement and decreased survival. We describe the first case of isolated pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma in pregnancy. A nulliparous woman was diagnosed with AIDS after presenting at 25 weeks gestation with a cough and multiple pulmonary nodules. Extensive pulmonary evaluation was nondiagnostic until thorascopic lung biopsy revealed Kaposi's sarcoma. Despite combination antiretroviral therapy, her malignancy progressed. Labor was induced at 33.5 weeks gestation for nonreassuring fetal testing. She received chemotherapy postpartum and remains in remission. Pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of HIV-infected obstetric patients with respiratory compromise. Definitive diagnosis is necessary given the aggressive clinical course that is potentially responsive to therapy.

KEYWORDS

Kaposi's sarcoma - pulmonary - HIV - pregnancy

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Ann E BryantM.D. M.Sc. 

Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine

Suite 410, 333 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611

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