Successful Treatment of a 92-Year-Old Classic Kaposi's Sarcoma Man With Ultra-Low Dose Oral Etoposide

J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2022 Oct;28(7):1671-1673. doi: 10.1177/10781552221078285. Epub 2022 Feb 1.

Abstract

Introduction: Because classic Kaposi's sarcoma (CKS) is currently regarded as a low-grade vascular malignancy, it has been usually known as indolent clinical course. The slow-growing neoplasms are usually asymptomatic and rarely systematically progressive. Although CKS is a chronic disease which is rarely life-threatening, systemic therapy may be necessary in some patients with symptomatic skin or visceral involvement.

Case report: In this report, we presented a 92-year-old CKS man with widespread and symptomatic skin lesions.

Management and outcome: Patient was treated successfully with ultra-low dose oral etoposide; 50 mg/day for 7 days. Cycles were repeated in every 21 days. There was a dramatic regression in all lesions at the end of treatment; only skin colorations were persisted instead of palpable nodular lesions. Moreover, no serious hematological and non-hematological adverse events were observed.

Discussion: Fragile advanced CKS patients with advanced age and/or comorbitidies need to be considered to optimize outcomes. Treatment with single-agent oral chemotherapy, oral ultra-low dose etoposide, may be one of the effective treatment styles.

Keywords: classic Kaposi’s sarcoma; oral etoposide; treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Etoposide
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi* / chemically induced
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi* / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Etoposide