Cancer and tuberculosis: case series

J BUON. 2010 Apr-Jun;15(2):392-4.

Abstract

Tuberculosis is seen with an increased frequency in cancer patients. Possible reasons of reactivation are thought to be related to chemotherapy and insufficient nutrition together with compromised immune system. The diagnosis of tuberculosis may be missed in cancer patients and may be diagnosed with newly developed radiological and clinical findings during treatment. In this case, tuberculosis should be considered and related diagnostic work up should be completed. Also, PPD test should be applied to cancer patients and if needed isoniazid prophylaxis should be initiated. We present herein 4 cancer patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. Two patients suffered from solid malignancies (lung cancer) and 2 from non-solid malignancies (acute myeloid leukemia).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / complications
  • Disease Progression
  • Ethambutol / therapeutic use
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Isoniazid / therapeutic use
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / complications*
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Rifampin / therapeutic use
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / complications*
  • Sputum / microbiology
  • Tuberculosis / complications*
  • Tuberculosis / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Ethambutol
  • Isoniazid
  • Rifampin