[Malignant lymphoma and tuberculosis]

In 153 patients with malignant lymphoma (1981-1984) one case of simultaneous occurrence of a Non-Hodgkin lymphoma of high grade malignancy and tuberculosis of a cervical lymph node is reported. Typical morphological characteristics were absent. In the first biopsy mycobacterium tuberculosis was demonstrated in a microbiological animal trial. In a second biopsy a centroblastic lymphoma was found. It is possible that the onset of lymph node tuberculosis is promoted by the impaired immunological defence mechanism of the malignant growth. On the other hand, the malignant lymphoma might be caused by the chronic tuberculous inflammation. Independent of this question, a persistent cervical lymphoma must be identified by biopsy and microbiology. An essential factor in deciding both therapy and prognosis of the malignant lymphoma is to diagnose the presence of a tuberculous infection, for the concurrent treatment of primary and secondary disease provides the only chance of cure.