Kaposi's sarcoma of the penis in HIV-negative patients: case series

Abstract

Kaposi's sarcoma is a malignant vascular tumor associated with human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8). The disease primarily affects the skin, mucous membranes, lymph nodes, and even internal organs in late stages. Kaposi's sarcoma of the penis is usually found in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and is exceedingly rare in HIV-negative patients.In this article, we report 2 cases of Kaposi's sarcoma in a 42-year-old and 55-year-old patients. Both patients denied any homosexual relationships. Their tumors were represented by 5-mm nodules located close to the external urethral orifice. Both patients have undergone tumor excision. Histological and immunohistochemical examinations demonstrated Kaposi's sarcoma. The 55-year-old-patient had positive nuclear staining with anti-HHV-8 antibodies in the tumor cells, although no anti-HIV antibodies were found in his serum. The 42-year-old patient had a clinically significant increase in the level of human papillomavirus 51 (HPV-51) DNA detected using polymerase chain reaction in his urethral swab sample (3.2 х 10 5 Lg). Both patients were alive after 36 and 34 months, respectively, without signs of disease progression.