ORAL KAPOSI SARCOMA FIRST MISDIAGNOSED AS AN INFLAMMATORY DISEASE

Kaposi sarcoma is a malignant neoplasm associated with human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) infection that usually affects HIV-positive patients. A 34-year-old man was referred because of a swelling in the palate lasting 4 months that was initially interpreted and treated as an inflammatory endoperiodontal disease affecting teeth 21 and 22. Medical history revealed HIV infection. Physical examination revealed multiple purplish patches in the skin of the arms. Oral examination showed an exophytic reddish growth in the gingiva and palatal area close to the described teeth and a purplish patch in the left posterior hard palate. Periapical radiograph showed a radiolucent image involving the apexes of the aforementioned teeth. Clinical diagnosis was Kaposi sarcoma, and a biopsy was performed. Histologic analysis showed a proliferation of neoplastic HHV-8–positive spindle cells confirming the diagnosis of Kaposi sarcoma. The patient was referred to the infectious disease specialist, is currently under highly active antiretroviral treatment, and has been followed-up for the oral lesions.