[Coexistence of bronchogenic carcinoma and active pulmonary tuberculosis]

We describe 9 patients with coincident active tuberculosis of the lung and bronchogenic carcinoma who were all diagnosed within a 5-year period. All were men, with a mean age of 55 +/- 10 years. The principal symptom was toxic syndrome lasting 1-3 months and the most common X-ray sign was alveolar consolidation. Analysis of tissue samples revealed squamous carcinoma (4 cases), adenocarcinoma (4 cases, one of which was bronchioloalveolar) and non-small cell carcinoma (1 case). Tumoral stage was often advanced: IV (44%) and III (33%). The tuberculosis bacillus was isolated in sputum (100%) and in bronchial aspirate (50%); no in vitro resistance was observed. Three patients were treated with radical surgery and three with radiotherapy. Average survival was 3 months in this series.