A case of mistaken identity: classic Kaposi sarcoma misdiagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer in an atypical patient

Abstract Background The presentation of Kaposi sarcoma is divided into four known clinical subtypes. In this case report we describe classic Kaposi sarcoma in an African-American heterosexual, diabetic, seronegative human immunodeficiency virus male. Classic Kaposi sarcoma is rare in this patient de...

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Main Authors: Garneisha M. Torrence, James S. Wrobel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2019-07-01
Series:Clinical Diabetes and Endocrinology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40842-019-0083-x
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spelling doaj-0fc068663b83483b806e362d6a3c18722020-11-25T03:48:31ZengBMCClinical Diabetes and Endocrinology2055-82602019-07-01511610.1186/s40842-019-0083-xA case of mistaken identity: classic Kaposi sarcoma misdiagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer in an atypical patientGarneisha M. Torrence0James S. Wrobel1Michigan Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, Domino’s Farms, University of Michigan Hospital and Health SystemsMichigan Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, Domino’s Farms, University of Michigan Hospital and Health SystemsAbstract Background The presentation of Kaposi sarcoma is divided into four known clinical subtypes. In this case report we describe classic Kaposi sarcoma in an African-American heterosexual, diabetic, seronegative human immunodeficiency virus male. Classic Kaposi sarcoma is rare in this patient demographic and can be easily misdiagnosed. Case presentation The patient presented with a lesion between the fourth and fifth digits of his right foot which was initially diagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer. Despite local wound care, the lesion did not resolve. A shave biopsy was performed and histopathology findings were consistent with classic Kaposi sarcoma. Conclusions The patient tolerated local radiotherapy well and had complete resolution of his pedal lesion. There have been emerging associations between diabetes and Kaposi sarcoma. As such, clinicians should have a low threshold when considering the biopsy of suspicious pedal lesions in patients with diabetes. The utilization of appropriate biopsy technique may lead to the diagnosis of classic KS tumors in populations outside of the current four widely accepted clinical subtypes.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40842-019-0083-xKaposi sarcomaMalignancyDiabetes mellitusFoot tumorBiopsy
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Garneisha M. Torrence
James S. Wrobel
spellingShingle Garneisha M. Torrence
James S. Wrobel
A case of mistaken identity: classic Kaposi sarcoma misdiagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer in an atypical patient
Clinical Diabetes and Endocrinology
Kaposi sarcoma
Malignancy
Diabetes mellitus
Foot tumor
Biopsy
author_facet Garneisha M. Torrence
James S. Wrobel
author_sort Garneisha M. Torrence
title A case of mistaken identity: classic Kaposi sarcoma misdiagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer in an atypical patient
title_short A case of mistaken identity: classic Kaposi sarcoma misdiagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer in an atypical patient
title_full A case of mistaken identity: classic Kaposi sarcoma misdiagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer in an atypical patient
title_fullStr A case of mistaken identity: classic Kaposi sarcoma misdiagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer in an atypical patient
title_full_unstemmed A case of mistaken identity: classic Kaposi sarcoma misdiagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer in an atypical patient
title_sort case of mistaken identity: classic kaposi sarcoma misdiagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer in an atypical patient
publisher BMC
series Clinical Diabetes and Endocrinology
issn 2055-8260
publishDate 2019-07-01
description Abstract Background The presentation of Kaposi sarcoma is divided into four known clinical subtypes. In this case report we describe classic Kaposi sarcoma in an African-American heterosexual, diabetic, seronegative human immunodeficiency virus male. Classic Kaposi sarcoma is rare in this patient demographic and can be easily misdiagnosed. Case presentation The patient presented with a lesion between the fourth and fifth digits of his right foot which was initially diagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer. Despite local wound care, the lesion did not resolve. A shave biopsy was performed and histopathology findings were consistent with classic Kaposi sarcoma. Conclusions The patient tolerated local radiotherapy well and had complete resolution of his pedal lesion. There have been emerging associations between diabetes and Kaposi sarcoma. As such, clinicians should have a low threshold when considering the biopsy of suspicious pedal lesions in patients with diabetes. The utilization of appropriate biopsy technique may lead to the diagnosis of classic KS tumors in populations outside of the current four widely accepted clinical subtypes.
topic Kaposi sarcoma
Malignancy
Diabetes mellitus
Foot tumor
Biopsy
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40842-019-0083-x
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