Epidemiological features of kaposi’s sarcoma with cutaneous involvement in the Oncological Institute of the Republic of Moldova over the years 2018-2023

Abstract

Introduction. According to GLOBOCAN 2020 database incidence is 34270 and mortality 15086 for both sexes and all ages. The most affected population is Africa, 73%, followed by European countries 8,8%. This disease becomes even more difficult due to concomitant pathologies such as HIV/AIDS, syphilis, autoimmune diseases, heart, kidney, liver and other diseases, with a high rate of addressability and repeated exacerbations. The interest in epidemiological features of Kaposi’s Sarcoma is based on the fact that it’s less studied. Aim of study. To analyze Kaposi’s Sarcoma among the population of the Republic of Moldova based on sex, age, residence distribution, cutaneous affected areas and occurrence of comorbidities. Methods and materials. The study was carried out on 27 medical records of patients diagnosed with Kaposi’s Sarcoma, registered within Moldovan Oncology Institute database, skin cancers, melanoma and locomotor system department, over the years 2018-2023. Results. Based of 27 reported cases, 8 cases (29,60%) are among women and 19 cases (70,40%) among men. The male to female ratio is approximately 2:1 (19 cases versus 8 cases). 26 patients (96,30%) are under the age of 40. Patients aged 40-50 account 3 (11,11%), aged 50-60 only 2 (7,41%), aged 60-70 are 12 (44,44%), aged 70-80 account 6 (22,22%), aged 80-90 are 3 (11,11%) and a single case of a 24 year old patient (3,70%). Residents of rural area are 11 patients (40,74%), while residents of urban area 16 (59,26%). 15 patients have cutaneous lesions localized on the lower extremities (55,56%), 3 patients have it on the upper extremities (11,11%), 3 patients have it on multiple areas (11,11%), and 6 patients have another localization as nose, trunck and other types of Kaposi’s sarcoma. 1 patient (3,70%) out of 27 has AIDS. 12 patients (44,44%) have heart disease. 10 patients (37,04%) have kidney disease. 4 patients (14,82%) have liver disease. In 2020, 1 patient came for another surgical procedure due to worse health state. In 2022 and 2023, 1 patient came to repeat local excision. Conclusion. Increased SK incidence is among men and especially of urban residence which probably can be associated with biological factors, lifestyle and environmental factors. The most common affected sites are lower extremities. Heart diseases are usually associated with Kaposi’s Sarcoma and the proper explanation could be the patient's age. The number of repeated surgical procedures has increased since 2020 and it can be linked to the period of infection with SARSCOV2. for both sexes and all ages. The most affected population is Africa, 73%, followed by European countries 8,8%. This disease becomes even more difficult due to concomitant pathologies such as HIV/AIDS, syphilis, autoimmune diseases, heart, kidney, liver and other diseases, with a high rate of addressability and repeated exacerbations. The interest i n epidemiological features of Kaposi’s Sarcoma is based on the fact that it’s less studied. Aim of study. To analyze Kaposi’s Sarcoma among the population of the Republic of Moldova based on sex, age, residence distribution, cutaneous affec ted areas and occurrence of comorbidities. Methods and materials. The study was carried out on 27 medical records of patients d iagnosed with Kaposi’s Sarcoma, registered within Moldovan Oncolo gy Institute database, skin cancers, melanoma and locomotor system department, over the year s 2018-2023. Results. Based of 27 reported cases, 8 cases (29,60%) are among women a nd 19 cases (70,40%) among men. The male to female ratio is approximately 2:1 (19 cases versus 8 cases). 26 patients (96,30%) are under the age of 40. Patients aged 40-50 account 3 (11 ,11%), aged 50-60 only 2 (7,41%), aged 60-70 are 12 (44,44%), aged 70-80 account 6 (22,22%), aged 80- 90 are 3 (11,11%) and a single case of a 24 year old patient (3,70%). Resident s of rural area are 11 patients (40,74%), while residents of urban area 16 (59,26%). 15 patients have cutan eous lesions localized on the lower extremities (55,56%), 3 patients have it on the upper ex tremities (11,11%), 3 patients have it on multiple areas (11,11%), and 6 patients have another localization as nose, trunck and other types of Kaposi’s sarcoma. 1 patient (3,70%) out of 27 has AI DS. 12 patients (44,44%) have heart disease. 10 patients (37,04%) have kidney disease. 4 patient s (14,82%) have liver disease. In 2020, 1 patient came for another surgical procedure due to worse hea lth state. In 2022 and 2023, 1 patient came to repeat local excision. Conclusion. Increased SK incidence is among men and especially of urban residence which probably can be associated with biological factors, life style and environmental factors. The most common affected sites are lower extremities. Heart disea ses are usually associated with Kaposi’s Sarcoma and the proper explanation could be the patient's age. The number of repeated surgical procedures has increased since 2020 and it can be linked to the peri od of infection with SARSCOV-2.