[Tuberculosis simulating cancer. An autopsy study of 12 cases presenting diagnostic difficulties in clinical...

Tuberculosis may simulate cancer. We report on twelve cases with the clinical diagnosis of cancer in which autopsy revealed tuberculosis. Weight loss and fever were the most common symptoms. Chest x-ray abnormalities were seen in 50% of cases. A debilitating disease other than tuberculosis was present in 6 cases. Miliary disseminated tuberculosis was the most common form encountered at autopsy. Physicians should be aware that the clinical findings of tuberculosis may suggest malignancy.