The oncologist named two conditions for the extremely rare transmission of cancer between humans

The transfer of cancer cells from one person to another is theoretically possible, but extremely rare conditions must coincide at the same time. About this on October 15, "Gazeta.Ru," said Vadim Pokrovsky, Director of the Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Carcinogenesis at the N.N. Blokhin National Research Medical Center of Oncology.

According to the specialist, the tumor cells must directly enter the moist epithelial tissue of another person. In addition, the recipient must have an almost identical immune system, like an identical twin, or a pronounced immunodeficiency. Otherwise, the body will almost certainly reject foreign tumor cells.

Pokrovsky cited the Tasmanian devils, which have transmissible cancer, as an example. Theoretically, a similar situation in humans could occur with direct contact with a decaying tumor and its cells entering the mucosa, however, a coincidence of immunological conditions would also be required for the further development of the disease. The doctor called this scenario extremely unrealistic.

He also noted that theoretically, the transfer of tumor cells is possible from mother to child during pregnancy. For this, however, rare factors such as an extremely aggressive tumor and a high degree of immunological identity of the mother and fetus must coincide.

At the same time, cancer is not able to spread between people by airborne droplets, the oncologist emphasized. According to Pokrovsky, the mechanism of transmission of tumor cells is fundamentally different from infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

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Andrey Kaprin, chief freelance oncologist at the Russian Ministry of Health, noted on the same day that inactivated drugs that do not contain a live virus are used to vaccinate cancer patients against influenza. He added that the specific drug and the appropriate time for vaccination should be determined by the attending physician, taking into account the medical history and ongoing therapy.