Radiotherapy in classic Kaposi's sarcoma (CKS): experience of the Institute of Radiology of University "La Sapienza" of Rome.

Between 1992 and 1995 24 histologically demon strated Kaposi's. Sarcoma in 14 HIV negative patients were treated at the Institute of Radiology of the University "La Sapienza" of Rome. All patients underwent irradiation with 60CO in three different fractionations: 800 cGy in 1 fraction in 2 (8%) cases, 2000 cGy in 5 fractions in 18 (75%) and 300 cGy in 10 fractions in 4 (17%). Complete response was obtained in 13/24 (54%), partial response in 9/24 (38%), no change in 2/24 (8%). In 2 cases there were out field relapses 2 and 3 months after the end of therapy, and one patient presented with a field recurrence at 4 months. The median duration of local control was 19.5 months (range 4-40 months). All patients had complete remission of symptoms. Our results seem to confirm the effectiveness of radiotherapy in the local control and palliation of symptoms of CKS.