Relationship between parasites and lung cancer: Unveiling the link

Abstract

Lung cancer has become a significant global health concern due to the increasing number of cases and deaths. Recent research has suggested a potential link between parasites and lung cancer. This review aims to comprehensively analyse existing literature to highlight relevant studies evaluating this relationship. A thorough search in different databases revealed four key associations: parasites as a potential risk factor for lung cancer, suppressors of lung cancer, mimics of lung cancer leading to misdiagnosis, and coincidental infections with lung cancer. The review indicates a significant relationship between parasites and the suppression of lung cancer, emphasising the importance of further research to explore this novel avenue in the hope of identifying and developing novel biological cancer therapeutic and preventive strategies. It also stresses the importance of recognising pulmonary parasitic infections in the differential diagnosis of lung cancer to prevent misdiagnosis and subsequent unnecessary surgical intervention. Additionally, in patients with concurrent pulmonary parasitic infections and lung cancer, which may be easily overlooked, persistent symptoms despite applying appropriate anti-parasitic treatment should raise concern about the need for repetitive evaluation by appropriate diagnostic protocols and imaging follow-up for potential underlying lung cancer.