Kaposi's sarcoma is seen in:-

AIIMS Manglagiri NO - 2019

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Manglagiri NO - 2019

Explanation

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a vascular neoplasm that is considered an AIDS-defining illness.
It is caused by Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and is most common in patients with compromised immune systems, particularly those with AIDS.
The incidence of KS was very high in the early years of the AIDS epidemic but has declined significantly with the use of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART).
In HIV-infected individuals, KS can be widespread, affecting the skin, mucous membranes, lymph nodes, and internal organs like the lungs and gastrointestinal tract.

Option A: Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues and is not the primary condition associated with Kaposi's sarcoma. While both involve malignancies and can relate to the immune system, KS is specifically a virally-induced vascular tumor linked to severe immunosuppression.
Option C: A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain. While KS can metastasize to the central nervous system, a primary brain tumour is a distinct and unrelated pathology.
Option D: Glaucoma is a disease of the eye characterized by damage to the optic nerve, usually due to increased intraocular pressure. It has no pathological connection to Kaposi's sarcoma.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Association of Kaposi's Sarcoma with Immunodeficiency as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The appearance of Kaposi's sarcoma lesions can be one of the first visible signs of AIDS in an undiagnosed individual. Nurses should be able to recognize these lesions and understand their significance.
For patients diagnosed with HIV, the presence of KS indicates severe immunosuppression (usually a CD4+ T-cell count below 200 cells/μL) and the need for initiation or adjustment of antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Nursing care for patients with KS involves skin assessment, wound care for ulcerated lesions, pain management, and emotional support due to the disfiguring nature of the lesions.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Kaposi's sarcoma'.
Recall the definition and primary association of this condition. Kaposi's sarcoma is a well-known opportunistic malignancy.
Think about which patient populations are susceptible to opportunistic diseases. This points towards individuals with weakened immune systems.
Evaluate the options: Leukaemia, AIDS, Brain tumour, and Glaucoma.
Analyze which of these conditions involves severe immunodeficiency. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is defined by the collapse of the immune system due to HIV infection.
Connect Kaposi's sarcoma to AIDS, as it is a classic AIDS-defining illness. The other options are distinct medical conditions not primarily linked to KS.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed pp. 524-526, 263-265

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1652-1654