[Cancer and mycoses and literature review]

Abstract

Various infectious agents are classical risk factors for cancer including bacteria, viruses and parasites. There is less evidence concerning the implication of fungal infection in carcinogenesis. The role of chronic Candida infection in the development of squamous cell carcinoma has been suspected for years. Candida sp are more prevalent in potentially malignant disorder and cancer of the oral mucosa. Other epidemiological evidence of a link between Candida infection and cancer is what is observed in patients with Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy Candidiasis Ectodermal Dystrophy (APECED). Oral and oesophagal carcinoma are frequent in these patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. Production of nitrosamine and metabolism of procarcinogen are mecanisms in which Candida sp may be involved in oral cancer development. In chromomycosis and lobomycosis chronic lesions may have a risk of malignant transformation. A diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis appears to increase the risk of lung cancer.

Keywords: Alcohol; Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy Candidiasis Ectodermal Dystrophy (APCED); Cancer; Candida albicans; Candida dubliniensis; Candida glabrata; Candida sp; Chromoblastomycosis; Chronic hyperplasic candidiasis; Cladophialophora carionii; Fonsecae pedrosoi; Lacazia loboï; Leukoplakias; Lobomycose; Mycosis; Oral; Oral health status; Paracoccidioidomyces brasiliensis; Paracoccidioidomyces lutzi; Paracoccidioidomycose; Tobacco; esophagus and pulmonary cancers.