Study Source: American Cancer Society
“Our findings suggest that infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii may play a role in development of glioma. If confirmed by future research, this would represent a breakthrough in finding a modifiable risk factor for this particularly insidious form of brain cancer.”
The Challenge: Brain tumors are rare, and there are many different types. The most common brain tumors are gliomas, and they tend to have a low 5-year survival rate. The causes of brain tumors, including gliomas, remain largely unknown. Few studies have been able to identify modifiable risk factors, but some suggest a potential association between certain infections and increased risk. One of those infections is caused by the microscopic parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T gondii).