ArticleOncology2015
Task Shifting and Skin Punch for the Histologic Diagnosis of Kaposi's Sarcoma in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Public Health Solution to a Public Health Problem.
Article in Oncology, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 25 papers.
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Who cites it
25 citing papers in PubMed, 40 citations in OpenAlex.
- Artificial Intelligence-Based Diagnosis of Kaposi Sarcoma Using Digital Photographs in Dark-Skinned Patients in Uganda.JCO global oncology · 2026Article
- Skin biopsy processing for rapid molecular diagnosis and histopathologic interpretation: application to Kaposi sarcoma in East Africa.Infectious agents and cancer · 2025Article
- Usability of a smartphone-compatible, confocal micro-endoscope for cervical cancer screening in resource-limited settings.BMC women's health · 2024Article
- Rapid, equipment-free extraction of DNA from skin biopsies for point-of-care diagnostics.Scientific reports · 2024Article
- The Persistence of HIV Diversity, Transcription, and Nef Protein in Kaposi's Sarcoma Tumors during Antiretroviral Therapy.Viruses · 2022Article
- Impact of nurse-surgeons on patient-centred outcomes: A systematic review.International journal of nursing studies advances · 2022Review
- The role of dermatology in Kaposi sarcoma diagnosis across 3 regions in sub-Saharan Africa.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2021Article
- Feasibility of Rapid Case Ascertainment for Cancer in East Africa: An Investigation of Community-Representative Kaposi Sarcoma in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy.Cancer epidemiology · 2021Article
- Global Disparities in Skin Cancer Services at HIV Treatment Centers across 29 Countries.The Journal of investigative dermatology · 2021Article
- Skin Biopsy Equipment Availability Across 7 Low-Income Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study of 6053 Health Facilities.JAMA dermatology · 2021Article
- Building a Sustainable Comprehensive Multiple Myeloma Program in Western Kenya.JCO global oncology · 2021Article
- Novel Diagnostics for Kaposi Sarcoma and Other Skin Diseases in Resource-Limited Settings.Dermatologic clinics · 2021Review
- Barriers to surgery performed by non-physician clinicians in sub-Saharan Africa-a scoping review.Human resources for health · 2020Article
- Dermatology-Driven Quality Improvement Interventions to Decrease Diagnostic Delays for Kaposi Sarcoma in Botswana.Journal of global oncology · 2019Article
- Low-cost, high-speed near infrared reflectance confocal microscope.Biomedical optics express · 2019Article
- Kaposi sarcoma.Nature reviews. Disease primers · 2019Review
- Task Shifting in Dermatology: A Call to Action.JAMA dermatology · 2017Article
- Global Burden of Skin Disease: Inequities and Innovations.Current dermatology reports · 2017Article
- Providing dermatological care in resource-limited settings: barriers and potential solutions.The British journal of dermatology · 2017Article
- Accuracy of Clinical Suspicion and Pathologic Diagnosis of Kaposi Sarcoma in East Africa.Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999) · 2016Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
18 authors at 7 institutions in 4 countries.
Funding
Abstract
Fueled by HIV, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in the world. Despite this, KS diagnosis in the region is based mostly on clinical grounds. Where biopsy is available, it has traditionally been excisional and performed by surgeons, resulting in multiple appointments, follow-up visits for suture removal, and substantial costs. We hypothesized that a simpler approach - skin punch biopsy - would make histologic diagnosis more accessible. To address this, we provided training and equipment for skin punch biopsy of suspected KS to three HIV clinics in East Africa. The procedure consisted of local anesthesia followed by a disposable cylindrical punch blade to obtain specimens. Hemostasis is facilitated by Gelfoam®. Patients removed the dressing after 4 days. From 2007 to 2013, 2,799 biopsies were performed. Although originally targeted to be used by physicians, biopsies were performed predominantly by nurses (62%), followed by physicians (15%), clinical officers (12%) and technicians (11%). There were no reports of recurrent bleeding or infection. After minimal training and provision of inexpensive equipment (USD 3.06 per biopsy), HIV clinics in East Africa can integrate same-day skin punch biopsy for suspected KS. Task shifting from physician to non-physician greatly increases access. Skin punch biopsy should be part of any HIV clinic's essential procedures. This example of task shifting may also be applicable to the diagnosis of other cancers (e.g., breast) in resource-limited settings.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.