C46.9

Kaposi’s sarcoma, unspecified

kap-o-seez sar-ko-ma) a type of cancer characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels that develop into skin lesions or occur internally.

A malignant neoplasm characterized by a vascular proliferation which usually contains blunt endothelial cells. Erythrocyte extravasation and hemosiderin deposition are frequently present. The most frequent site of involvement is the skin; however it may also occur internally. It generally develops in people with compromised immune systems including those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome aids).

A multicentric, malignant neoplastic vascular proliferation characterized by the development of bluish-red cutaneous nodules, usually on the lower extremities, most often on the toes or feet, and slowly increasing in size and number and spreading to more proximal areas. The tumors have endothelium-lined channels and vascular spaces admixed with variably sized aggregates of spindle-shaped cells, and often remain confined to the skin and subcutaneous tissue, but widespread visceral involvement may occur. Kaposi’s sarcoma occurs spontaneously in jewish and italian males in europe and the United States. An aggressive variant in young children is endemic in some areas of africa. A third form occurs in about 0.04% of kidney transplant patients. There is also a high incidence in aids patients. from Dorland, 27th ed & holland et al., cancer medicine, 3d ed, pp2105-7) hhv-8 is the suspected cause.

A type of cancer characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels that develop into skin lesions or occur internally.

Kaposi’s sarcoma is a cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin, in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat or in other organs. The patches are usually red or purple and are made of cancer cells and blood cells. The red and purple patches often cause no symptoms, though they may be painful. If the cancer spreads to the digestive tract or lungs, bleeding can result. Lung tumors can make breathing hard.before the hiv/aids epidemic, ks usually developed slowly. In hiv/aids patients, though, the disease moves quickly. Treatment depends on where the lesions are and how bad they are. Treatment for hiv itself can shrink the lesions. However, treating ks does not improve survival from hiv/aids itself. nih: national cancer institute

Multicentric, malignant neoplastic vascular proliferation characterized by the development of bluish-red cutaneous nodules, usually on the lower extremities, most often on the toes or feet, and slowly increasing in size and number and spreading to more proximal areas; occurs spontaneously in jewish and italian males; aggressive variant in young children is endemic in some areas of africa; a third form occurs in about 0.04% of kidney transplant patients; there is also a high incidence in aids patients; human herpesvirus 8 is the suspected cause.

C46.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

This is the American ICD-10-CM version of C46.9 – other international versions of ICD-10 C46.9 may differ.