From the Guidelines
There is currently no established direct link between COVID-19 infection and the development of brain tumors. While COVID-19 can affect the nervous system and cause neurological symptoms like headaches, confusion, and loss of taste or smell, these effects are primarily due to inflammation, blood clotting issues, or direct viral invasion of neural tissue rather than tumor formation, as seen in a recent study published in Nature Reviews Microbiology 1. Some COVID-19 patients may experience neurological complications, but these typically involve inflammation (encephalitis), stroke, or nerve damage rather than neoplastic growth. The mechanisms by which viruses could potentially contribute to cancer development generally involve long-term infection and genetic alterations over time, which differs from the acute infection pattern of COVID-19.
Key points to consider include:
- Neurological and cognitive symptoms are a major feature of long COVID, including sensorimotor symptoms, memory loss, cognitive impairment, paresthesia, dizziness and balance issues, sensitivity to light and noise, loss of (or phantom) smell or taste, and autonomic dysfunction, often impacting activities of daily living, as reported in the study 1.
- Cognitive impairments in long COVID are debilitating, at the same magnitude as intoxication at the UK drink driving limit or 10 years of cognitive ageing, and may increase over time, with one study finding occurrence in 16% of patients at 2 months after infection and 26% of patients at 12 months after infection 1.
- Possible mechanisms for these neuropathologies include neuroinflammation, damage to blood vessels by coagulopathy and endothelial dysfunction, and injury to neurons, but there is no evidence to suggest a direct link to brain tumor development 1.
If you're experiencing persistent neurological symptoms after COVID-19, it's essential to consult with a healthcare provider, but these symptoms are much more likely to represent post-COVID syndrome or other complications rather than a brain tumor. Research on the long-term effects of COVID-19 is ongoing, but current evidence, as seen in the study published in Nature Reviews Microbiology 1, does not support a causal relationship between the infection and brain tumor development.
From the Research
Covid 19 Infection and Brain Tumors
- There is no direct evidence to suggest a link between Covid 19 infection and brain tumors 2, 3, 4.
- Studies have focused on the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on brain tumor patients and caregivers, including delays in treatment and increased stress and anxiety 2.
- Research has also explored the effects of Covid 19 on neuroimaging findings, including acute infarcts, intracranial hemorrhage, and leukoencephalopathy 5.
- Additionally, studies have investigated the role of co-infections and secondary infections in patients with Covid 19, which may have implications for brain tumor patients 6.
Key Findings
- A survey of brain tumor patients and caregivers found significant stress and anxiety due to the Covid 19 pandemic 2.
- A case-control study found that implementing a streamlined care protocol for brain tumor surgery during the Covid 19 pandemic resulted in decreased ICU utilization and hospital length of stay 3.
- A review of neuroimaging findings in adults with Covid 19 found a range of abnormalities, including acute infarcts and intracranial hemorrhage 5.
- A review of co-infections and secondary infections in patients with Covid 19 found varying rates of co-infections and superinfections, which may be associated with severity and outcome of Covid 19 infections 6.