BMJ 1994;308:1303-1304 (14 May)

Letters

Original description of Kaposi's sarcoma

EDITOR, - Kaposi's original description of a new skin tumour, which now bears his name,1 is remarkably similar to Jonathan Weber's reminiscence.2 Kaposi was an internationally respected dermatologist, recognised for his keen eye and careful observations; he is credited with the first description of xeroderma pigmentosum.3 He reported on five patients, all men, from the corners of the Habsburg empire, and also on a Swiss boy.1 He made no comments about their sexual orientation.

In his paper Kaposi repeatedly emphasised that this new disease was incurable and rapidly lethal. He wrote that: "Die Krankheit fuhrt zum Tode, and zwar innerhalb einer kurzen Frist von 2-3 Jahren...Die Krankheit muss nach den vorliegend Erfahrungen von vornherein nicht nur als unheilbar, sondern auch als lethal gelten." [The disease leads to death and it does so within the short span of two to three years...The disease must, according to our existing experiences, be considered . . . [Full text of this article]


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This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Skubitz, K. M., D'Adamo, D. R. (2007). Sarcoma. Mayo Clin. Proc. 82: 1409-1432 [Abstract] [Full text]  
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