Kaposi's sarcoma in retrospect.

Abstract

Introduction In 1997, it is 125 years since Moriz Kaposi (fig 1) described five patients with a peculiar tumour of the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs which is nowadays referred to as Kaposi's sarcoma (KS).' At present, the cellular origin and pathogenesis of KS are still not fully understood. This paper describes and clarifies the aetiological and pathogenic concepts of KS that have been contemplated in the past, starting with Kaposi's original description. The emphasis is