Seven Viruses That Cause Cancer

How do viruses cause cancer?

Viruses are very small organisms. They are made up of genes – DNA or RNA – surrounded by a protein coating. There are several oncoviruses, or viruses that causes cancer:

1.  Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a herpes virus that’s spread through saliva. EBV infection increases the risk of Burkitt lymphoma, some types of Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and stomach cancer. There is currently no vaccine for Epstein-Barr virus.

2.  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is spread through infected blood, semen and other body fluids. Hepatitis B is a leading cause of liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all children and adults. If you are not sure if you’ve been vaccinated, talk to your doctor.

3.  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread through infected blood. Hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver cancer, and can cause non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. There is no vaccine against hepatitis C, but it is highly treatable.

4.  Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is spread through infected semen, vaginal fluids, blood and breast milk. While it does not cause cancer directly, researchers believe it increases the risk of cancer by damaging the immune system, which reduces the body’s defenses against other oncoviruses. It can enable other oncoviruses to cause cancer. HIV-associated cancers include Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cervical cancer, and cancers of the anus, liver, mouth and throat and lung. There is no vaccine against HIV.

5.  Human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) is related to Kaposi sarcoma in people who have a weakened immune system. That includes patients with HIV.

6.  Human papillomavirus (HPV) has at least 12 strains that can cause cancer in men and women, including anal, cervical, penile, throat, vaginal and vulvar cancer. Boys and girls age 11-12 should get the HPV vaccine. It’s available for patient from age 9-26.

7.  Human T-cell leukemia virus type, also called human T-lymphotrophic virus (HTLV-1) is linked to adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. It is spread through infected semen, vaginal fluids, blood and breast milk. The infection is rarely found in the United States.

The effects of these viruses on cancer development is highly complicated. Experts don’t fully understand how most known oncoviruses cause cancer. What is known is that viruses highjack cells and insert their own DNA or RNA into the host cell. This can cause the host cells to become cancerous.

SOURCE:  MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER

12 Years, 4 Months, 14 Days, 3 Hours, 8 Minutes

Since I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's "B" cell Lymphoma...  I was 60 years of age...  and, was Dean of Students at ITT Technical Institute in Knoxville, TN.  Obviously, it was quite a shock to both me and my wife and totally unexpected.  Actually, it was my family doctor that noticed I had lost 30 pounds in 6 weeks and sent me off for further testing that resulted in a liver biopsy and the diagnosis of Lymphoma.  The specialist then referred me to an Oncologist at UT Medical - Cancer Center...  a Dr. Wahid Hanna from Cairo, Egypt which I took as a good omen because I had attended high school in Cairo, Egypt from 1962-1966.

After having my first PET scan, I began a monthly infusion of Rituxan, a chemotheraphy drug that took about 4-6 hours to administer which included pre-meds for nausea and which, over the years had no adverse side-effects on my body which was amazing to me but totally expected by Dr. Hanna.  I continued with the Rituxan treatment since it was keeping my Lymphoma from growing until I relocated to Florence, Kentucky to work as Director of Education at a proprietary school there and my new Oncologist whose name I cannot remember, decided to add Cytoxin and Fludara to my Rituxan infusions that left me violently sick each month.  I still never lost my hair.

After a year, I returned to Knoxville and Dr. Hanna refused to authorize Cytoxin and Fludara with my Rituxan and a few years later was diagnosed with Melanoma on the bottom of my left foot that all my doctors thought was a wart until it kept returning and a biopsy was taken.  The melanoma was surgically removed and four years later moved into my groin with a substantial presence.   Rituxan was replaced with Triandra for Lymphoma 0and Odivo and Yervoy for Melanoma.  Because there was a substantial amount of Melanom, surgery was impossible.  A year later, Yervoy was stopped and I received 6 intense radiation treatments.

A team of Cancer Specialists at UT Medical - Cancer Center wanted Dr. Hanna to focus on the Melanoma and leave the Lymphoma alone because there was no evidence that these drugs for two different cancers would work well together.  Dr. Hanna refused to follow their advice and 6-9 months later, Dr. Hanna was proven to be correct and a PET/CT scan revealed a substantial reduction of both my Lymphoma as well as my Melanoma.

A couple of months later, a bulge appear on the left side of my neck and after several unsuccessful biopsies, it was surgically removed and along with lymph nodes being removed, dead melanoma was also removed...  MY CANCER TREATMENTS HAD WORKED PERFECTLY...

Hodgkin's versus Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma