A new study from the CDC suggests cancer cells originating in a common tapeworm may take root and cause cancer-like tumors in people with weakened immune systems. The discovery is the first known case of cancer cells that arose in a parasite making a person ill.
The research was prompted by a case in 2013 — Colombian physicians contacted the CDC to help diagnose bizarre lung tumor and lymph node biopsies of a 41-year-old man with HIV. The tumors looked similar to a human cancer, but initial CDC lab studies revealed the cancer-like cells were not human, but instead came from Hymenolepis nana, or dwarf tapeworms in the man's tumor.
Scientists who made the discovery noted that if other similar cases occur, they may be misdiagnosed as human cancer — particularly so in less-developed countries where tapeworm and immune-system-suppressing illnesses like HIV are common.
According to Atis Muehlenbachs, MD, PhD, a staff pathologist in CDC's Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch and the lead author of the study, the scientists were amazed when they found the new type of cancer-like disease caused by tapeworms growing inside a person.
"We think this type of event is rare," said Dr. Muehlenbachs. "However, this tapeworm is found worldwide and millions of people globally suffer from conditions like HIV that weaken their immune system. So there may be more cases that are unrecognized. It's definitely an area that deserves more study."
To read more about the discovery, click here.
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