Infection with viruses, bacteria, and parasites are thought to be the underlying cause of about 8-17% of the world's cancer burden, i.e., approximately one in every five malignancies globally is caused by an infectious pathogen. Oncogenesis is thought to be aided by eleven major pathogens. It is crucial to identify microorganisms that potentially act as human carcinogens and to understand how exposure to such pathogens occur as well as the following carcinogenic pathways they induce. Gaining knowledge in this field will give important suggestions for effective pathogen-driven cancer care, control, and, ultimately, prevention. This review will mainly focus on the major onco-pathogens and the types of cancer caused by them. It will also discuss the major pathways which, when altered, lead to the progression of these cancers.
Keywords: bacteria; cancer; infections; pathogens; viruses.