Kaposi's sarcoma
noun
Ka·po·si's sarcoma
ˈka-pə-sēz- 
also -shēz-,
kə-ˈpō-sēz-
: a neoplastic disease that occurs especially in individuals coinfected with HIV and a specific herpesvirus (species Human herpesvirus 8 of the genus Rhadinovirus), that affects especially the skin and mucous membranes, and that is marked usually by pink to reddish-brown or bluish plaques, macules, papules, or nodules especially on the lower extremities
—abbreviation KS
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Most people with the virus are asymptotic, but immunocompetent children, organ transplant recipients and other people with weakened immune systems who are infected can develop Kaposi's sarcoma.
—
Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 10 June 2024
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Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 10 June 2024
Cite this Entry
“Kaposi's sarcoma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Kaposi%27s%20sarcoma. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
Kaposi's sarcoma
noun
Ka·po·si's sarcoma
ˈkap-ə-zēz-
kə-ˈpō-
-sēz-
kə-ˈpō-
-sēz-
: a neoplastic disease affecting especially the skin and mucous membranes, characterized especially by the formation of pink to reddish-brown or bluish tumorous plaques, macules, papules, or nodules especially on the lower extremities, and formerly limited primarily to elderly men in whom it followed a benign course but now being a major and sometimes fatal disease associated with immunodeficient individuals with AIDS
—abbreviation KS
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