The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta has recently released its report on the first case of a human falling ill from cancer cells that arose in a parasitic tapeworm. Its researchers said that the cancer cells originating in a common tapeworm "took root in a 41-year-old Colombian man who was HIV positive".
Discovering the newest yet the most terrifying ability of tapeworms, these CDC scientists described tapeworms growing in a person and essentially spreading cancer, as included in a brief report. Likewise, doctors have also found out that the patient was heavily infected with tapeworms called Hymenolepis nana and had developed multiple tumors in different parts of his body.
“These tumors looked similar to human cancer, but initial CDC lab studies revealed the cancer-like cells were not human,” the CDC said in a statement. The tumor cells also seemed to be fusing together, which human cancer cells normally don't do.
"We think this type of event is rare," CDC pathologist Atis Muelenbachs told NBC News. "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."
The findings of the case have been the primary cause for concern. It is known that certain animals are susceptible to cancer, while others are nearly immune. However, as of this writing, there had been no specific evidence that a human parasite could harbor cancer cells and transfer the said condition to people. Nevertheless, the American Cancer Society recognized that certain parasites were capable of raising the risks of developing cancer in humans, but never of carrying the cancer itself.
Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, said that these new findings strengthen the possibility of using the same tools to aid in the understanding the relationship between various infections and cancer. This case has also been used as a reminder regarding the importance of handwashing and drinking safe water when travelling - getting rid of dwarf tapeworm infections.
