The Palliative Radiotherapy of Classic Kaposi's Sarcoma of Foot Region: Retrospective Evaluation

The life quality of the patients with classic Kaposi's sarcoma exit in the foot region (toes, dorsum pedis, plantar pedis and region calcaneus) were impaired due to the walking or the pain while wearing shoes. The widely used radiotherapy in this patient group is applied with different doses and fractionation schemes. The data is limited for evaluating response and toxicity of radiation to optimized radiotherapy techniques of foot' CKS. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of RT for these patients. Thirty-one therapy areas of 15 patients with histological confirmed Kaposi's sarcoma in the foot region and treated between 1999 and 2005 were evaluated retrospectively. The male/female ratio was 2.75/1 and the median age was 63 years of age. The most frequently used radiotherapy scheme was 3000cGy in 10 fractions. The median follow-up time was 68.4 months. The complete response ratios were 86.7%, 93.3%, 93.3% for 30 therapy areas at 6, 12 months and 5 years, consecutively. Acute complications were observed in 17 (54.8%) therapy areas. All side effects developed due to the therapy were controlled with supportive treatment. Normal foot movements were ensured within 2-4 weeks after the radiotherapy. According to our results, the radiotherapy is effective and safe therapy modality for Kaposi's sarcoma of the foot region. However, the first response to radiation is usually frustrating and it may increase the patients' complaint about the foot due to the acute toxicity. This can be improved completely with supportive therapy.