Cancer-causing viruses: These pathogens can cause cancer

Created: 07/12/2022, 16:15

By: Juliane Gutmann, Jasmin Pospiech

Not only family predisposition, environmental influences and nutrition play an important role in the development of tumors.

Infections can also promote cancer.

1 / 6The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) belongs to the group of herpes viruses.

According to the German Cancer Research Center (dkfz), it is certain that an infection with EBV can contribute to the development of B-cell lymphoma, a malignant disease of B-lymphocytes.

In medicine, lymphoma refers to malignant tumors of the lymphatic system.

The Epstein-Barr virus could also be detected in tumors of T-lymphocytes (T-cell lymphomas), according to the dkfz.

© Imago

2 / 6The gastric bacterium Helicobacter pylori is said to harbor the risk of promoting gastric cancer.

The piquant thing about it: About a quarter of the German population already has it.

Helicobacter is said to promote gastric ulcers, which can then progress to cancer.

However, treatment with a combination of antibiotics and gastric acid blockers is extremely successful in most cases.

© dpa

3 / 6The red ribbon is intended to bring the issue of AIDS and HIV to the fore in society.

Infection with so-called HI viruses (human immunodeficiency viruses) can trigger the disease AIDS.

According to the German Cancer Research Center, people with AIDS are more likely to be affected by cancer, probably because of their weakened immune system.

©Oliver Berg/dpa

4 / 6Hepatitis B promotes liver inflammation.

These can also develop into liver cancer.

However, you can get vaccinated against this type of hepatitis by your family doctor.

© Martin Wagner/Imago

5 / 6Unfortunately, there is no vaccine (yet) against hepatitis C viruses.

Aggressive pathogens are among the most common causes of liver cancer.

As the German Cancer Research Center informs, hepatitis C viruses are now also associated with other types of tumors: Cancer of the bile ducts and multiple myeloma could also be promoted by an infection, it is said.

© CAVALLINI JAMES/Imago

6 / 6Human papilloma viruses (HPV) are usually harmless - but there are types that are carcinogenic and are said to cause cervical cancer.

They are also suspected of promoting anal or penile cancer.

However, there is also a very effective vaccination that is supposed to help against all HPV types.

© CAVALLINI JAMES/Imago

According to the German Cancer Research Center, infections can also cause cancer.

A virus infection can result in cell changes and thus tumours.

And some bacteria also have cancer-promoting effects in the body.