Skin Deep and Lung Bound: A Tale of Disseminated Kaposi's Sarcoma.

Background: We present the case of an Indian man in his 40s with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), involving the skin, oral mucosa, and lungs. Fewer than 30 cases of KS have been reported in India to date. This case report emphasizes the challenges and confounding factors in diagnosing pulmonary KS, as well as the complexities involved in initiating treatment.

Case description: The patient presented with multiple skin lesions, worsening dyspnea, and chest pain. A skin biopsy confirmed KS, and chest imaging revealed bilateral infiltrates. Pulmonary KS was diagnosed through polymerase chain reaction test from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Despite the initiation of antiretroviral therapy, the patient's condition deteriorated, leading to his demise.

Conclusion: Diagnosing pulmonary KS remains a complex and nuanced process, often hindered by overlapping symptoms and confounding factors that can obscure its presentation. Early recognition and prompt intervention are essential but challenging, underscoring the need for a high index of suspicion and a multidisciplinary approach to optimize patient outcomes.