Epstein-Barr virus causes cancer

definition

The Epstein-Barr Virus, or also EBV called, is a virus of the Herpes family. With that it is a common Virus that affects almost everyone up to the age of thirty infected by droplets Has.

After first infection some viruses remain in the B lymphocytes, a kind of white blood cells, and can influence these in the further course of life under special circumstances.

Symptoms of Acute Infection

The typical illnessthat is triggered by the virus is that Pfeiffer's glandular fever (Synonym: infectious mononucleosis, kissing disease). The predominantly young patients suffer Fever, tonsillitis (Inflammation of the tonsils) and Lymph node swelling. Often times are liver and spleen affected. The two organs enlarge and can in very rare cases take long-term damage. The worst cases are a Rupture of the spleen, with great blood loss connected or a Inflammation of the liver, the so-called hepatitis.

Cancer in EBV

Basically there is some cancersthat are in Associated with a previous EBV infection stand. For theirs Emergence but have to several factors met be why Cancer from EBV at least in the industrialized countries despite the high level of contamination very rare is.

The Possibility of emergence cancer is caused by the Persistence of the virus in the Lymphocytes given. The virus remains in the long term in the Memory cells of white blood cells sit. Problems are only with immunosuppression, so one insufficient work of the immune system, expected. In Africa are above all Malaria infections and AIDS. In this country are AIDS or the drug suppression for example after a Organ transplant possible triggers.

Tumors of the B cell series, so-called lymphomas, develop.

Hodgkin lymphoma

The Hodgkin lymphoma is a Cancer of the lymphatic system, such as the Lymph nodes or the spleen. EBV can often detected in the tumor is, however not as the sole trigger the disease to consider. Of the EBV-associated cancers is this Lymphoma the most common in the western world.

Typical symptoms are the painless swelling of lymph nodes, especially on neck, such as fever, Night sweats, unintentional weight loss and a Enlargement of the liver and spleen.

The forecast from Hodgkin's lymphoma Thanks to chemotherapy, Irradiation and the use of new modern Antibodies good.

Burkitt lymphoma

The Burkitt lymphoma is almost exclusively restricted to Africa and shows up as large, rapidly growing tumor in the neck and face area. This tumor occurs outside of Africa rare in AIDS patients on because under the HIV infection, the Immune system fails. This lymphoma also has one good prognosisbecause that Response to chemotherapy and Irradiation very good is.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Another tumor in which EBV plays a role, arises contrary to all assumptions, not from lymphatic tissue, but from the surface epithelium in the nasopharynx. Especially Chinese are of this tumor entity affected.

More cancers

Currently is EBV as a cofactor in the Development of liver tumors and des Stomach discussed. Indeed there is a lack of reliable data so far.

Diagnosis

At a acute infection find each other high levels of white blood cells in the blood smear with a Shift to the lymphocytes. In addition, the doctor can in the blood for antibodies to the virus search to let. So can still Years after the illness detected will ever be one infection with this particular virus has existed. With the help of Polymerase chain reaction can the Virus also detected directly become.

The cancers are diagnosed by a combination of looks, laboratory tests, imaging tests such as CT or ultrasound, and a tissue sample.

therapy

At a infection need no further action be seized. If needed, can the Fever with leg compresses or Paracetamol lowered become. Important are absolute protection and peace of the patient.

If a malignancy has developed, an antibody against the B lymphocytes, which in this case are the malignant cells, can be used. The antibody specifically occupies these cells and initiates their destruction. Chemotherapy is the usual method in the presence of lymphoma. Since the tumors often grow quickly, radiation is also a good combination partner for therapy. Sometimes operations can also help. However, it does not cure lymphoma.

prophylaxis

Right now are some vaccines against EBV in development, their target the Prevention of cancer is. Until a finished vaccine is available worldwide and included in the vaccination program, should but some time will pass.