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- • Lymph nodes may be enlarged. A biopsy is needed to distinguish KS in nodes from other causes of lymph
- node enlargement.
- • Mucous membranes are often involved. In the oral cavity, the hard and soft palates are most frequently
- affected.
- • The membrane covering the eye (conjunctiva) may be involved, or lesions may be seen beneath the white of the
- eye (sclera).
- • Involvement of internal organs may be suspected by physical examination, but cannot be proven without
- further testing. The physician will look for enlargement of the liver or spleen and feel for abnormal masses.
-
- Blood and Other Tests
- • Only the form of KS associated with HIV has abnormal blood tests associated with it. None of the tests,
- however—including HIV, P-24 antigen or beta-2 microglobulin—is predictive, meaning they do not indicate
- that KS is about to occur, its rate of growth or the chances of its responding to treatment.
- • Useful information can be obtained from the total lymphocyte count and the "helper/suppressor" ratio.
-
- Imaging
- • KS may appear on a chest x-ray but cannot be distinguished from infections or other tumors. A direct view of
- the lung (bronchoscopy) may be needed.
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