Schistosomiasis--cancer: etiological considerations. A review.

Evidence for a causal connection between Schistosoma haematobium-infection and carcinoma of the urinary bladder is discussed. A group relationship of schistosomiasis cancer to cancers as+sociated with asbestosis, foreign body implants, and cicatrization is suggested on the basis of several criteria. Results of experimental foreign body tmuorigenesis in mice are presented and elaborated in relationship to schistosomiasis cancer. Carcinogenic development at the cellular level is discussed with emphasis on the essential role of tissue-environmental conditions, especially fibrotic changes and macrophage quiescence.