Iris Publishers- Open access Journal of Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology | Fungus or Cancer: is it or is it not?

Authored by Sharon Murff

Fungi are organisms that are ubiquitous. In fact, there are millions of different types of fungi that exist indoors and outdoors. “Some fungi do not cause serious problems and other species have the potential to be life-threatening and fungal infections can exist anywhere in the human body”. Similarly, cancerous lesions can grow anywhere in the body and can increase an individual’s mortality risk. There are radiographic character similarities between some fungal infections and cancerous lesions and there have been cases in which a misdiagnosis of cancer was given when in fact the problem was a fungal invasion. There is a vast difference in the treatment modalities for fungal infections and cancer and there is also a difference in the expense to manage patients. It is important to ensure an accurate diagnosis is provided in order to minimize any physiological, psychological, or financial challenges a patient might experience.

The main focus of this review is to provide basic tenets associated with fungi, fungal infections, and cancer. Also, the chief aim of this review is to present information with regard to fungal infections that have been identified as malignancies from a radiologic perspective. Fungi exist in the environment and can cause health problems for anyone. Various fungal species can be found in the outdoor environment on plants, trees, in the soil, and in all buildings on various surfaces. Because fungi are ubiquitous it is difficult to escape contact with them [1].
Some fungal infections pose problems that are not serious while others might have devastating effects on the body. Common fungal infections often manifest on the skin, fingernails and toenails, and also might present as vaginal yeast infections. Alternately, some fungi pose life-threatening problems such as Aspergillosis, Blastomycosis, or Pneumocystis pneumonia [1].
Serious fungal infections have been pervasive among individuals who are immunosuppressed from medications or debilitating health conditions. Individuals with a compromised immune system include, but are not limited to, those with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), malignancies, and various blood dyscrasias [2]. Other individuals who are vulnerable hosts for fungal infections include transplant recipients and those with cancer [2].

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