Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Identification and analysis of microplastics in para-tumor and tumor of human prostate

Researchers detected microplastics in both tumor and surrounding tissue from 22 prostate cancer patients, with polystyrene found exclusively in tumor tissue. Larger microplastic particles were more common in tumors, and higher microplastic levels correlated with more advanced cancer stages, suggesting a potential link between microplastic accumulation and prostate cancer progression.

2024 EBioMedicine 57 citations
Article Tier 2

The first reported values of microplastics in prostate

This is the first study to confirm the presence of microplastics in human prostate tissue, serving as an initial exploratory finding. While the sample size was small, the discovery opens the door to further research on whether microplastic accumulation in the prostate could be linked to prostate health conditions.

2024 BMC Urology 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification and analysis of microplastics in human penile cancer tissues

Researchers found microplastics in tissue samples from patients with penile cancer, with the most common types being polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC. Cancerous tissue contained significantly more microplastics and a greater variety of plastic types than nearby healthy tissue, suggesting a possible link between microplastic accumulation and cancer development that needs further investigation.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Microscopic menace: exploring the link between microplastics and cancer pathogenesis

This review examines the growing evidence linking microplastic exposure to cancer development in humans. Microplastics can accumulate in the body and trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and other biological changes associated with tumor growth. While more clinical research is needed, the review highlights that microplastics should be taken seriously as a potential factor in cancer risk.

2025 Environmental Science Processes & Impacts 8 citations
Article Tier 2

The Relationship Between Microplastics and Nanoplastics with Cancer: An Emerging Health Concern

This review explores the emerging relationship between micro- and nanoplastic exposure and cancer risk in humans. Researchers summarized evidence suggesting that microplastics can carry carcinogenic substances and may trigger inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways linked to tumor development. The study highlights that while early evidence raises concern, more research is needed to establish clear causal connections between plastic particle exposure and specific cancer types.

2024 International Journal of Hematology and Oncology 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection and quantification of microplastics in various types of human tumor tissues

Researchers detected microplastics in 43% of tumor samples across lung, gastric, colorectal, cervical, and pancreatic cancers, with polystyrene, PVC, and polyethylene being the types found. In pancreatic tumors, microplastic presence was associated with fewer immune cells that fight cancer and more immune cells linked to tumor progression, suggesting microplastics may create conditions that help tumors evade the immune system.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 62 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Microplastics and Colorectal Cancer: Presence in Human Colorectal Tissues and Associations with Tumor Biology- A Systematic Review

This review of 13 studies found that tiny plastic particles called microplastics are present in human colon tissues, with higher amounts found in cancerous tumors compared to healthy tissue. The research suggests these plastic particles may contribute to colon cancer development by causing inflammation and creating conditions that help tumors grow. While more research is needed to prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, this highlights growing concerns about how plastic pollution in our environment and food supply might affect human health.

2026
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and cancer

This review examines evidence linking microplastics to cancer risk, noting that microplastics have been detected at higher concentrations in human tumor tissues than adjacent healthy tissue, and that they can act as vectors for carcinogens while inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and genotoxicity.

2025 European Journal of Cancer Prevention
Article Tier 2

Micro(nano)plastics pollution and human health: How plastics can induce carcinogenesis to humans?

This review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics enter the human body through food, water, and air, and how they may contribute to cancer development. Common plastic types like polystyrene and PVC, along with toxic chemicals they carry such as PAHs and PCBs, have been linked to DNA damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation, all of which can promote cancer. The paper highlights that while the evidence is growing, more research is needed to understand the full cancer risk from chronic microplastic exposure.

2022 Chemosphere 367 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluating the relationship between microplastics and nanoplastics contamination and diverse cancer types development

This review examines growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastics found in human tissues may contribute to cancer development through several pathways. These tiny particles can generate harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species, cause chronic inflammation, and disrupt cell growth signals, all of which are known to promote cancer. While long-term, high-level exposure likely poses the greatest risk, more research is needed to understand the full cancer-related dangers of microplastic exposure.

2025 Environmental Pollution 6 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

The clinical relevance of microplastic exposure on colorectal cancer: A systematic review

This systematic review of four studies found that microplastic accumulation in colorectal cancer tissue (25.9-32.2 particles/g) was significantly higher than in healthy controls, with polyamide, polycarbonate, and polypropylene as the most common polymers detected. While a causal relationship has not been established, the evidence points to microplastics as a potential environmental factor in colorectal cancer development.

2025 Cancer Epidemiology 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification and analysis of microplastics in peritumoral and tumor tissues of colorectal cancer

Researchers examined tumor and surrounding tissue from colorectal cancer patients and found a diverse range of microplastics, including PVC and polyethylene, with tumor tissues containing a greater variety and higher distribution of microplastics than adjacent healthy tissue. A protein called clathrin that helps cells absorb materials was highly active in the cancer tissue, suggesting it may facilitate microplastic uptake and pointing to a potential link between microplastic exposure and colorectal cancer development.

2025 Scientific Reports 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics as emerging carcinogens: from environmental pollutants to oncogenic drivers

This review examines growing evidence that microplastics and nanoplastics may play a role in cancer development, with these particles found in human tumor tissues from the lungs, colon, stomach, breast, and other organs. The particles appear to promote cancer through chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and disruption of key cancer-related signaling pathways. While direct proof of causation in humans is still lacking, the accumulating evidence from lab studies, animal experiments, and human tissue analysis suggests microplastics deserve serious attention as potential contributors to cancer risk.

2025 Molecular Cancer 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic changes during the development of cervical cancer and its effects on the metabolomic profiles of cancer tissues

Researchers found microplastics in cervical cancer tissue, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common types, and levels increased as the cancer progressed to more advanced stages. The microplastics appeared to alter the chemical environment within the cancer tissue, suggesting they may play a role in how cervical cancer develops, though more research is needed to confirm a causal link.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Do microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) directly contribute to human carcinogenesis?

This review examines whether microplastics and nanoplastics could directly contribute to cancer development in humans. Evidence from lab and animal studies shows these particles can cause DNA damage, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupt important cancer-related signaling pathways. While a direct causal link to human cancer has not been proven yet, the review argues that microplastics should be considered potential cancer-promoting agents that warrant urgent further research.

2025 Environmental Pollution 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Polypropylene microplastics promote metastatic features in human breast cancer

Researchers found that polypropylene microplastics, one of the most common types found in human tissue, promoted the spread and invasion of human breast cancer cells in laboratory experiments. The microplastics activated specific signaling pathways that help cancer cells migrate to other parts of the body. While this is a lab study and not proof that microplastics cause cancer in people, it raises important questions about how chronic microplastic exposure might influence cancer progression.

2023 Scientific Reports 115 citations
Article Tier 2

The alarming link between environmental microplastics and health hazards with special emphasis on cancer

This review describes how microplastics enter the human body through the nose, skin, and mouth, then penetrate cells where they can alter gene expression, fuel inflammation, disrupt hormone signaling, and promote uncontrolled cell growth. Studies have linked microplastic exposure to cancers of the lungs, blood, breast, prostate, and ovaries, though the precise molecular mechanisms still need further investigation.

2024 Life Sciences 90 citations
Article Tier 2

From exposure to oncogenesis: a review on the multifaceted roles of microplastics in tumor initiation and progression

This review examined the evidence linking microplastic exposure to tumor initiation and progression, covering physical, chemical, and inflammatory mechanisms by which MPs may promote oncogenesis. The authors conclude that while current evidence is largely preclinical, accumulating data warrant serious concern about microplastics as environmental carcinogens.

2025 Journal of Translational Medicine
Article Tier 2

Exposure to Microplastics is Associated With the Risk of Cancer in Children

Researchers examined the emerging link between microplastic exposure and cancer risk in children, noting that these tiny plastic particles are found in tap water, bottled water, air, and food that children regularly consume. The study raises concern that early-life exposure to microplastics and their chemical additives may contribute to childhood cancer risk.

2025 Journal of Pediatrics Review
Article Tier 2

Detection of microplastics in the human penis

In the first study to look for microplastics in human penile tissue, researchers detected plastic particles in 80% of samples from six men undergoing surgery, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene being the most common types. This finding adds the penis to the growing list of human organs where microplastics have been found, raising questions about potential effects on male reproductive health.

2024 International Journal of Impotence Research 44 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and Cancer: A Comprehensive Review of Their Impact on Tumor Progression and Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis

This comprehensive review examines the growing body of evidence linking microplastic exposure to various types of cancer, including colorectal, lung, liver, and breast cancers. Researchers found that microplastics and nanoplastics may promote tumor progression through mechanisms including oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and disruption of cellular signaling pathways. While the evidence is still emerging, the study highlights the need for further research into the potential cancer-related risks of widespread microplastic exposure.

2025 Journal of Environmental Pathology Toxicology and Oncology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics: an often-overlooked issue in the transition from chronic inflammation to cancer

This review explores how microplastics that accumulate in the human body may trigger long-lasting inflammation, which is a known driver of cancer development. The authors describe how microplastics can disrupt the gut microbiome, activate immune responses, and alter signaling pathways in ways that could promote tumor growth over time.

2024 Journal of Translational Medicine 46 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

From Exposure to Oncogenesis: the Role of Microplastics and Associated Pollutants in Cancer - a Literature Review

This literature review examined the growing evidence linking microplastic exposure to cancer development. Microplastics have been found in human lung, liver, and colon tissue, and research suggests they may promote cancer through chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and by carrying known carcinogens like heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants into the body.

2025 International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science
Article Tier 2

The Impact of Environmental Factors on Cancer Risk: A Comprehensive Review

This paper is not about microplastics in a specific research sense; it is a broad review of how environmental factors influence cancer risk, with no substantive microplastic content evident from the available abstract.

2023