Background
Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a type of cancer that causes lesions to grow primarily in the skin, but also in lymph nodes, internal organs, and mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and throat; it is also an opportunistic disease that occurs as a result of immunosuppression, mainly affecting those with HIV and AIDS. KS is the most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related death among men in Malawi, Mozambique, and Uganda, and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men in Kenya.
KS treatment varies based on the size of the lesion and is thus monitored over time to assess proper treatment and risks. Current measurement methods in high-resource settings involve advanced ultrasound and various imaging techniques that can be used to also capture the size, volume, and shape of these lesions. These methods are very expensive and energy-demanding, which makes them unusable in low-resource settings.
Current methods of KS measurement in low-resource settings are imprecise as they involve using rulers and measuring tape. This method is very inconsistent and inaccurate, which leads to variable patient outcomes. With advanced equipment being unsuitable and unfamiliar to the environment, a need arises for a low-power, low-cost device to accurately and consistently measure KS lesions in patients.
Need Statement
There is a need to develop an accessible and accurate method to measure Kaposi Sarcoma lesions for patients in low-resource settings, enabling routine monitoring of lesion progression to validate the efficacy of the current treatment plan and improve patient outcomes.
Project Scope
There is a gap in the market that highlights the need for clinical researchers to have a cancer lesion measurement device to be used in low-resource settings. A solution would allow for accurate and precise progression-tracking measurements of KS lesions on the skin to prevent exposing patients to unnecessary doses of chemotherapy agents, which are toxic to the body and decrease patient quality of life. The final product will be a device that can image the lesions, calculate and display volume and surface area measurements, and cost less than $500. The final physical device, all prototype planning, and the relevant software will be delivered to Dr. Thomas Odeny and his team by Monday, April 28th, 2025.