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Copyright 2006 Martin S. Spiller, D.M.D. courtesy of Dr. Ed Cataldo
Copyright 2006 Martin S. Spiller, D.M.D. courtesy of Dr. Ed Cataldo Kaposi's occurs most frequently on the skin, although tumors can occur in the gastrointestinal tract and mouth. In the oral cavity, the lesions occur mostly on the palate (the roof of the mouth). Although they are technically a form of cancer, there is evidence that they are, in fact the result of a secondary infection with Herpes virus type VIII. This virus is found in high concentration in the saliva of infected individuals and can cause Kaposi's Sarcoma only in patients with very compromised immune systems. Some recent research has shown that this virus is transferred through deep kissing. Kaposi's tumors are seen almost exclusively in gay men with AIDS. The occurrence of one of these lesions anywhere on the body of a young man is indicative of the presence of HIV. Kaposi's is infrequent in women, even women with AIDS. It is also rare in men who have contracted AIDS via intravenous drug use. It is not known why women and heterosexual males with AIDS do not generally succumb to Kaposi's sarcoma, although there is probably an association between the gay lifestyle and the transfer of the herpes type 8 virus. These lesions occur as the initial manifestation of AIDS in approximately 11% of patients. Prior to the AIDS epidemic, they were seen (rarely) only on the lower extremities of elderly men.
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Copyright 2000 Martin S. Spiller, D.M.D. All material on this web site is protected by copyright and is registered with the US Copyright office. All personal uses, including public and academic presentations, are permitted. This fair use permission applies to oral and written reports, dissertations and theses for students in public and private schools, elementary and high schools, colleges and graduate schools. It also applies to teachers wishing to print this material for classroom and course work. Acknowledgement of this website as the source for this material during presentations is not required, but would be appreciated. Any dentist or other professional who finds this material useful is welcome to print and distribute it to patients, or to refer their patients to this website. Written requests for publication on the internet or other mass media (including printed publications) will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Internet and printed publication IS permitted (without permission, but with attribution) if it is part of a qualified academic dissertation, but any other internet or mass media use of this material without written permission is STRICTLY prohibited. Requests for such usage may be forwarded to me using the email button in the right shared border. If permission is granted, you must credit me for the use of the material and link to this website prominently from your own. Dentists and web developers who cut and paste content and/or images from doctorspiller.com into their own websites and claim them as their own are forewarned that this may result in legal action. Click here for more information concerning the copyright on this material. DISCLAIMER: Statements made on this web site are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be substituted for the advice of a medical professional. Information and statements have not been evaluated by the American Dental Association or any federal regulation agency and are not intended to diagnose, or treat any disease or medical condition. This is a personal website written by an individual dental professional whose intention is to enlighten the public with generally accepted, mainstream medical/dental information. I do not claim to represent the opinions of all dental or medical professionals. No website is a substitute for a visit to a living, breathing dentist or physician who can deal with you personally.
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