Microorganisms (Mar 2023)

Should We Expect an Increase in the Number of Cancer Cases in People with Long COVID?

  • Ana Amiama-Roig,
  • Laura Pérez-Martínez,
  • Pilar Rodríguez Ledo,
  • Eva M. Verdugo-Sivianes,
  • José-Ramón Blanco

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030713
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 3
p. 713

Abstract

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The relationship between viral infections and the risk of developing cancer is well known. Multiple mechanisms participate in and determine this process. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has resulted in the deaths of millions of people worldwide. Although the effects of COVID-19 are limited for most people, a large number of people continue to show symptoms for a long period of time (long COVID). Several studies have suggested that cancer could also be a potential long-term complication of the virus; however, the causes of this risk are not yet well understood. In this review, we investigated arguments that could support or reject this possibility.

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