Which virus viruses can cause cancer?
Viruses That Can Lead to Cancer
- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
- Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV)
- Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCV)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1, or HIV)
- Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1)
- Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
What is the link between viruses and cancer?
Viruses can lead to cancer by associating with host proteins, proliferating when the human immune system is weakened, and hijacking proliferating human cells. Compared to other viruses, human tumor viruses are unusual because they infect, but do not kill, their host cells.
What cancer is caused by Epstein-Barr virus?
EBV infection increases a person’s risk of getting nasopharyngeal cancer (cancer of the area in the back of the nose) and certain types of fast-growing lymphomas such as Burkitt lymphoma. It may also be linked to Hodgkin lymphoma and some cases of stomach cancer.
Do adenoviruses cause cancer?
Despite their long history, no human adenovirus is a known causative agent of human cancers, unlike a subset of their more famous cousins, including human papillomaviruses and human Merkel cell polyomavirus.
Is cancer a virus or bacteria?
Strictly speaking, cancer is not contagious. But a fair number of cancers are clearly caused by viral or bacterial infections: lymphomas can be triggered by the Epstein-Barr virus, which also causes mononucleosis. Liver cancers can be caused by Hepatitis B and C.
Can RNA viruses cause cancer?
Both DNA and RNA viruses have been shown to be capable of causing cancer in humans. Epstein-Barr virus, human papilloma virus, hepatitis B virus, and human herpes virus-8 are the four DNA viruses that are capable of causing the development of human cancers.
Can HPV cause cancer?
HPV-related cancers include: Cervical cancer: Virtually all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. Routine screening can prevent most cervical cancers by allowing health care providers to find and remove precancerous cells before they develop into cancer.