A patient with HIV/AIDS presents with a red-purple vascular lesion on the hard palate. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A red-purple vascular palatal lesion in an immunocompromised (HIV/AIDS) patient is classic for Kaposi sarcoma, caused by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8); the palate is the most common intraoral site.Other options: Pyogenic granuloma is reactive and usually gingival; a hematoma follows trauma; geographic tongue is a benign tongue condition.Key exam takeaway: Red-purple palatal vascular lesion in HIV/AIDS = Kaposi sarcoma (HHV-8).