Carcinogenic parasites: insights into the epidemiology and possible mechanisms of cancer.

This article focuses on the established and emerging links between parasitic infections and human cancers, emphasizing three trematode parasites—Schistosoma haematobium, Opisthorchis viverrini, and Clonorchis sinensis—classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as Group 1 carcinogens responsible for bladder and bile duct cancers. It reviews the epidemiology, molecular mechanisms, and diagnostic approaches related to parasitic carcinogenicity, highlighting chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and genetic mutations as key pathways in parasite-induced tumorigenesis. The article also discusses the role of Plasmodium falciparum malaria as a cofactor in Burkitt lymphoma development through interaction with Epstein-Barr virus, while noting that the carcinogenic potential of many other parasites remains uncertain and requires further research. Finally, it underscores the need for improved diagnostic tools, preventive strategies, and continued surveillance in endemic regions to better understand and control parasite-associated cancers.