Introduction
Hydatid disease, also known as cystic echinococcosis, is a parasitic infection caused by a tapeworm. It can cause cysts to grow in the liver and other organs. This infection is common in rural and underdeveloped areas where people raise livestock. Tapeworms usually live-in hosts like sheep and dogs. However, humans can get the disease if they accidentally consume anything infected with the parasite egg. Humans become intermediate hosts, but Hydatid disease is not contagious, which means it doesn’t spread through person-to-person contact. This zoonotic disease presents as hydatid cysts, with canines as definitive hosts and sheep as intermediate hosts. Hydatid disease can be contracted by humans accidentally through various means such as consuming contaminated water, eating vegetables with infected soil, or having contact with an infected dog. The disease can remain asymptomatic for many years. Cystic echinococcosis can affect any visceral organ in the body, including the lungs, brain, and kidneys. However, the liver is the most affected organ due to the bowel venous drainage system 1-6
Recent studies in Europe and Central Asia suggest a link between hydatids and tumors. Certain parasite antigens may inhibit tumor growth, indicating a protective effect against cancer by echinococcus. However, the simultaneous occurrence of cancer and hydatid cysts is rare and complex, presenting a challenge for oncologists and infectious disease specialists 7. At first glance, it may be mistaken for metastasis, but subsequent imaging and serology results confirm the diagnosis of hydatid cysts and raise concerns about initiating chemotherapy. Due to the rarity of such cases, there are no established guidelines for managing them. This literature review explores cases where individuals have experienced both cancer and hydatid cysts, examining their clinical manifestations, management strategies, prognosis, and post-treatment monitoring 4,6.