Infrared Thermography in Finding Skin Lesions in Patients With Kaposi's Sarcoma

RATIONALE: Diagnostic procedures, such as infrared thermography, may help find Kaposi's sarcoma and learn the extent of disease. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying how well infrared thermography finds skin lesions in patients with Kaposi's sarcoma.

OBJECTIVES: Primary Compare ultra-sensitive infrared thermographic images with visible light digital photographic images and clinical dermatologic examination as methods of measuring cutaneous lesions in patients with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Secondary Compare differences in modulation of temperature detected in KS skin lesions with non-involved skin of the same patient and with normal skin of healthy volunteers by sequential imaging using the infrared thermographic camera. OUTLINE: This is a controlled, pilot study. Patients undergo clinical assessment followed by simultaneous digital photographic camera imaging and high-resolution infrared thermographic camera imaging of designated normal skin areas and selected marker lesions. Before imaging, a metal bar chilled to 0º C, 10º C, and 25º C is applied to the lesions and designated normal skin areas for up to 90 seconds. Healthy volunteers (controls) undergo the same procedure as for the patient except only designated normal skin areas are used. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 20 patients and 10 healthy volunteers (controls) will be accrued for this study.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Meets 1 of the following criteria: Histologically confirmed cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) At least one skin lesion accessible for imaging HIV positivity with proven cutaneous KS and concurrent visceral or mucous membrane involvement allowed Healthy volunteer (regardless of HIV status) (control) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Performance status Not specified Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Not specified Hepatic Not specified Renal Not specified Other Pregnancy allowed PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Prior topical, intralesional, or systemic treatment allowed