Postmenopausal breast tuberculosis - report of 4 cases

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Breast tuberculosis is an uncommon condition, even in regions with a high incidence of tuberculosis.
• This case series focuses on four postmenopausal women diagnosed with breast tuberculosis.

Observation:

• The mean age of the patients was 62.5 years.
• Clinical presentations were diverse, including multifocal disease and coexistent breast cancer.
• Mammography and ultrasonography results were suspicious for malignancy in all cases.

Findings:

• Fine needle aspiration cytology was inconclusive in three out of four patients.
• Histological examination of biopsy specimens confirmed tuberculous lesions in all cases.
• Anti-tuberculosis therapy was the primary treatment modality.

Implications:

• The clinical and radiological features of mammary tuberculosis can be misleading, often resembling breast cancer.
• Suspicious symptoms warrant a biopsy to rule out malignancy and confirm tuberculosis.
• Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for managing breast tuberculosis.