Fungus & Cancer

While fungal infections can be serious, people with cancer and those undergoing treatment for cancer are at an elevated risk, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Since cancer treatment already compromises the immune system, fungal infections become even more difficult to treat.

Considerations

• According to the ACS, not everyone with cancer is at an elevated risk for a fungal infection. Risk depends on location, size and severity of the malignancy. One group that is at a high risk level is those who need a bone marrow transplant.

Identification

• Cancers such as lymphoma compromise the immune system more than others. However, treatments such as immunosuppresion leave people more susceptible to a fungal infection than the cancer itself.

Types

• Common fungal infections in people with cancer include Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma and Coccidioides. Many of these fungi pose no health risk to a healthy person but can affect those with cancer.

Prevention/Solution

• According to the ACS, early detection is crucial when fighting fungal infections, cutting down the amount of time it has to reproduce in the body.

Warning

• If left untreated, fungal infections can cause a wide range of problems in people with cancer such as meningitis, infections of the organs and illness.