Doctors in Spain initially suspected a patient had brain cancer after an MRI showed multiple lesions. Further testing revealed the true cause: a parasitic infection called neurocysticercosis.
The infection is caused by the tapeworm Taenia solium. It can enter the human body through undercooked pork or by ingesting eggs from contaminated food or water. The larvae then travel through the bloodstream and can embed in the brain.
The patient's immune system had produced antibodies against the parasite, confirming the diagnosis. While neurocysticercosis can cause seizures and other serious neurological issues, this man's case was relatively mild. He was treated with anti-parasitic drugs and recovered.
The case highlights that doctors should consider parasitic infections even without a patient travel history. An earlier correct diagnosis could have prevented unnecessary invasive cancer procedures.