Tuberculosis of the cecum simulating carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Ileocecal tuberculosis is a rare but significant cause of abdominal symptoms.
• It often presents with non-specific signs and symptoms, making differential diagnosis challenging.

Observation:

• A case is presented where cecal tuberculosis mimicked colon carcinoma.
• The patient underwent a conventional cancer operation due to the close resemblance.

Findings:

• Review of literature on ileocecal tuberculosis highlights its varied incidence.
• Clinical manifestations, diagnostic investigations, and treatment strategies are discussed.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of ileocecal masses.
• Emphasizes the need for accurate diagnostic tools to prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate surgical intervention.
• Informs clinicians on the epidemiological and clinical spectrum of ileocecal tuberculosis.