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Man's 'deadly brain cancer' turns out to be something grosser
New York Post • • general
Key Points:
- A man in Spain suffering from chronic headaches was initially suspected to have deadly brain cancer, but further MRI scans revealed the presence of pork tapeworm larvae, causing a parasitic infection called neurocysticercosis.
- Neurocysticercosis occurs when Taenia solium eggs are ingested, burrow into the gut, and form cysts that can travel to the brain, leading to symptoms such as headaches, seizures, dizziness, and muscle weakness.
- The infection is rare in Europe but more common in Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe, with around 2.8 million people infected annually worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
- The Spanish patient, who had never traveled abroad, was successfully treated with antiparasitic drugs albendazole and praziquantel, along with medications to manage inflammation and symptoms.
- Similar cases have been reported recently, including a viral instance in the US where a patient's scan showed widespread tapeworm infestation after consuming undercooked pork.
