Possible relationship between neurocysticercosis and hematological malignancies

Background. Previous studies have shown an increased frequency of chromosom al abnormalities in lymphocytes from animals and humans with cysticercosis. Some reports have suggested an association between cancer and cysticercosi s. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association betwee n neurocysticercosis and cancer. Methods, We designed a mortality rate study from the autopsy files of the D epartment of Pathology at the General Hospital of Mexico. A total of 1,271 autopsy files were reviewed. All files in which a malignant neoplasia was f ound during autopsy were selected as cases. Autopsies in which no malignant disease was found were used as controls. The odds ratio was determined bet ween the frequency of neurocysticercosis in patients with any malignant neo plasia and that of the controls. Results, Neurocysticercosis was more frequent in cases with malignant hemat ological diseases (MHD) than in controls (p = 0.01). The odds ratio for thi s association was 3.54, with 95% confidence interval from 1.17-9.79. Conclusions. Most human cancers arise from the interaction of a multiplicit y of factors, including xenobiotics and endogenous constituents, Therefore, while it will be difficult to demonstrate that neurocysticercosis is a cau sal agent of malignant hematological diseases (MHD), it should be considere d as a potential risk factor for cancer induction in countries where cystic ercosis remains a public health problem. (C) 1999 IMSS, Published by Elsevi er Science Inc.