[A case of coexistent bronchogenic carcinoma with pulmonary tuberculosis]

A 79-year-old housewife complaining of shortness of breath presented with a LUL mass lesion on chest roentgenogram. Bronchofiberscopic biopsy and curettage revealed adenocarcinoma as well as acid-fast bacilli of Gaffky-4. Further investigations showed increased ESR, CRP levels and positive RF. PPD skin test was positive measuring 55 x 43 mm. A left upper lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed. The mass was in S1+2 and measured 2.7 x 2.5 x 1.5 cm. Histologically caseaous necroses and spotted granulomas of tuberculosis were surrounded by bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma. Recent discussion concerning the simultaneous occurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchogenic carcinoma suggests a higher coexistence of both diseases. However, the coexistence of active tuberculosis with carcinoma in the same region, as in our case, is quite rare and suggests an etiological closer relationship between both diseases.