This is an absolutely insane case that made the NEJM rounds a couple years ago now. I wish this was mine. I don’t think there’s been another case report like it since.

41 year old Colombian male with HIV-AIDS (not adherent to treatment), tapeworm infection, with several months of fever, cough, fatigue, and weight loss.

Top left: Chest x-ray shows multiple round lung masses.

Top right: Chest CT shows those round lung masses. Look like metastases.

Bottom left: The tumors taken out.

Bottom right: Pathology of the tumors.

The patient underwent empiric treatment for tapeworm and HIV with progression of masses. The CDC was contacted for help when treatment wasn’t working.

The tumor cells clearly looked like cancer but were too small to be human cells. Genetic sequencing ultimately showed tapeworm DNA, with mutations and genetic rearrangements compatible with cancer.

Final diagnosis: Metastatic tapeworm cancer, likely developed because the patient had no immune system from the HIV-AIDS.

The patient passed away a few days after the diagnosis was finally made.