The Role of Radiotherapy in Treating Kaposi's Sarcoma in HIV Infected Patients

Simple Summary Radiation therapy is highly effective and well tolerated in the treatment of localized Kaposi's sarcoma. In this work, we reviewed the literature to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of radiotherapy in Kaposi's sarcoma before and after the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy and described the indications and modalities of radiotherapy treatment. Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a radiosensitive cancer regardless of its form (classical, endemic, AIDS-related, and immunosuppressant therapy-related). Radiotherapy (RT) is an integral part of the therapeutic management of KS. RT may be used as the main treatment, in the case of solitary lesions, or as palliative therapy in the disseminated forms. The dose of RT to be delivered is 20-30 Gy by low-energy photons or by electrons. The complete response rate after RT is high, around 80-90%. This treatment is well tolerated. However, patients should be informed of the possible risk of the development of late skin sequelae and the possibility of recurrence. With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the indications for RT treatment in HIV-positive patients have decreased.

Automated summary

Radiation therapy is highly effective and well tolerated in the treatment of localized Kaposi's sarcoma. This study evaluated the efficacy and side effects of radiotherapy in Kaposi's sarcoma before and after the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy. It also described the indications and modalities of radiotherapy treatment. The complete response rate after radiotherapy is high, around 80-90%, and the treatment is well tolerated. However, patients should be informed of the possible risk of late skin sequelae and recurrence. With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy, the indications for radiotherapy in HIV-positive patients have decreased.