Doctors in Spain initially suspected a 60-year-old man had advanced metastatic brain cancer after scans revealed multiple lesions in his brain. However, further investigation identified the cause as neurocysticercosis, a parasitic infection of the central nervous system caused by the larvae of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium.
The patient, a lifelong resident of Castellón, Spain, experienced two weeks of progressive headaches and mild behavioral changes before seeking medical attention. CT scans showed numerous abnormal spots that mimicked tumors that had spread from cancer elsewhere in the body. Despite these findings, whole-body scans, a colonoscopy, and specialized imaging failed to detect any signs of cancer.
Upon closer examination with an MRI, doctors discovered several fluid-filled cysts in the man's brain, some of which contained the head of a tapeworm. A blood test confirmed the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis. The patient was treated with antiparasitic medications albendazole and praziquantel, along with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, and made a full recovery without complications, according to the case report published in the CDC journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Researchers suggested the man may have contracted the infection years earlier through accidental ingestion of microscopic tapeworm eggs. This exposure might have occurred while he was working in construction alongside migrant coworkers from regions where neurocysticercosis is endemic. Although the exact source of transmission could not be definitively proven in this single case, the authors noted that local transmission in non-endemic settings is possible.
Neurocysticercosis can develop when individuals accidentally swallow pork tapeworm eggs. These eggs can enter the bloodstream and form cysts in the brain and other organs. In some instances, the condition can lead to serious symptoms such as seizures, stroke, neurological deficits, and cognitive decline.
The case report highlights that the absence of travel history to endemic regions should not prevent clinicians from considering neurocysticercosis in the differential diagnosis of brain lesions that resemble metastatic cancer. Early detection, the researchers concluded, could prevent unnecessary oncological procedures and allow for prompt, targeted antiparasitic therapy.