Microfilariae in association with neoplastic lesions: report of five cases

Abstract

Microfilariae and adult filarial worms have occasionally been detected in association with neoplastic lesions in cytological smears. The presence of microfilariae along with neoplasms is generally regarded as a chance association, yet some authors suggest that such parasitic infestations may be a causative factor for tumourigenesis. There are only a few reported cases in cytology literature documenting this association. We report the presence of microfilariae in routine cytology smears from one benign and four malignant tumours. Microfilariae could not be identified on histopathology available in four of these cases.