Many combinations of all these agents are being studied. Current standard therapy is either of the two vinblastine , vincristine programs on a weekly treatment schedule or a combination of doxorubicin , bleomycin and vincristine (ABV) given every two weeks.
Whenever possible, patients should consider participating in a clinical trial with the hope of improved response and survival. If not in a study, treatment should always be given by a physician experienced in using these agents.
Local Therapy KS is one of the few tumors that respond to local injections of chemotherapy . Many anticancer drugs cause intense local damage if they are accidentally injected into tissue . This undesirable side effect has been used in a positive way to treat KS skin lesions.
Diluted solutions of various drugs have been injected directly into the lesions using tiny needles. A small amount of inflammation may occur for a few days, but this is not usually painful. The lesions will often flatten and shrink so they look like freckles. They can stay this way for weeks or months before they recur.
Bleomycin, vincristine and vinblastine are among the anticancer drugs used in this way. Vinblastine is the most commonly used because of its relative cheapness and ease of use. Treatments are usually given weeks to months apart and are no more painful than any other injection would be. They will not permanently control the lesions, nor will they control lesions that have not been injected. There are no generalized side effects or bone marrow depression. These treatments are especially useful for cosmetically disturbing KS lesions, such as a lesion on the face.
