Immunizations - Poliomyelitis

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Contamination by Simian Virus 40. The public has been alarmed by reports of contamination of polio vaccines given between 1955 and 1963 by a virus known as SV40. The virus has been detected in certain rare cancers, including mesothelioma (a lung cancer normally associated with asbestos exposure), osteosarcoma, some brain tumors, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Click the icon to see an image of a brain tumor.

Still, about 98 million people may have been exposed, and most of these cancers are very rare (although some, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, are increasing). At least 40 years of observation have raised no red flags that indicate any serious problem. However, polio, once a major killer of children, has nearly been wiped out worldwide.

Review Date: 02/14/2007
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy; previously reviewed by Harvey Simon, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital (8/23/2006).

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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