[Association of active pulmonary tuberculosis and malignant diseases: a clinical study]

The association of pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchogenic carcinoma has been reported by many authors, however, there are rather few studies about the association of pulmonary tuberculosis and other malignant diseases and how the latter affects the outcome of the former. Between 1980 and 1993, we had in our hospital 104 patients who had both active pulmonary tuberculosis and malignant diseases. Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed at the time or after the diagnosis of malignant diseases in 74 patients, of whom 92% (68 patients) were males and 42% (31 patients) were over the age of 70. There were 23 stomach cancer (31%), and 15 lung cancer (20%). In 11 patients tuberculosis developed after the initiation of radiation and/or chemotherapy. 67 patients could be followed up for more than 6 months after the initiation of chemotherapy for tuberculosis and the negative conversion rate was as high as 95.5% at 3 months. The fact indicates that the association of malignant diseases does not influence the course of tuberculosis and that these patients could be treated safely in general hospitals, provided the diagnosis is made properly without unnecessary delay.