Previous history of solid tumor in patients presenting tuberculosis: a multicenter retrospective study in a...

This study aims to describe the prevalence of previous solid tumor and prior systemic cancer therapy in patients newly diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB) in a low-Tuberculosis-incidence region.

A retrospective multicenter study was conducted from 2018 to 2023 across two tertiary hospitals in southeastern Spain, covering a population of approximately 341,000 inhabitants. Patients with culture-confirmed TB were identified through electronic health records. Demographic data, cancer history, systemic cancer therapy, and comorbidities were analyzed to assess any association between active TB and previous solid tumors.

Among 87 patients diagnosed with active TB (incidence rate: 5.1 per 100,000 inhabitants per year), 64.4% were male, with a median age of 48 years (range: 0-85). Only four patients (4.6%) had a history of solid tumor, none of whom had received systemic cancer therapy or radiotherapy prior to active TB diagnosis. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between TB patients with a history of cancer and the general population, and there were no significant associations between gender, country of origin, or systemic cancer therapy.

In this low-incidence TB region, previous medical history of solid tumor among active TB patients is marginal. Solid tumor history does not behave as a strong risk factor for active TB development. In this region, routine latent TB screening in solid cancer patients is not supported by scientific evidence. Routine TB screening may lead to unnecessary interventions and increase healthcare costs. Further research in different epidemiological settings is recommended to validate these findings and inform global clinical practice guidelines.