Microplastics and gynecological tumors: An emerging environmental health concern

The pervasive environmental contamination by microplastics (MPs) has emerged as a significant threat to human health, with mounting evidence linking exposure to gynecological tumors. This comprehensive review synthesizes current scientific evidence by examining the established risks of chemical additives, exploring the carcinogenic mechanisms of the particles themselves, and highlighting the recent direct detection of MPs in human gynecological tissues. Evidence for this association is multi-faceted: plastic additives such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are epidemiologically linked to increased cancer risk, while the MP particles themselves are shown to induce pro-carcinogenic responses including oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and epigenetic changes. Critically, recent studies now confirm the physical presence of MPs within human gynecological tumor tissues, often at higher concentrations than in adjacent normal tissue, strengthening the clinical relevance of these findings. The convergence of chemical, mechanistic, and clinical evidence establishes a compelling case for MP exposure as an emerging risk factor for gynecological malignancies. The findings underscore an urgent need for further research, standardized detection methodologies, and public health strategies to mitigate this environmental threat.