Radiation therapy for non-AIDS associated (classic and endemic African) and epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma.

Purpose: A retrospective analysis of patients with non-AIDS and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, who were treated with radiation therapy.

Methods And Materials: Between 1978 and 1992, 56 patients with one of the three major types (classical, endemic, epidemic) of Kaposi's sarcoma received radiation therapy as their sole treatment modality. Extent of fields, daily fractionation, and total dose were applied on a clinical basis. These lesions received superficial x-ray therapy, Co-60 teletherapy, or 6-8 MeV electron beams. Field sizes depended on extent of the lesion. Total dose administration ranged from 8-12 Gy in one exposure, or a total of 24-30 Gy fractionated over 2-3 weeks.

Results: The majority of patients responded to radiation therapy. Symptomatic relief was achieved in 80-100% of patients irrespective of the type of Kaposi's sarcoma, treatment modality, or schedule. Side effects were tolerable in all but three patients with epidemic type Kaposi's sarcoma, who developed severe mucositis.

Conclusion: Radiotherapy is the most useful mode of palliative treatment for all forms of Kaposi's sarcoma in southern African patients.