Co-existence of Breast Carcinoma along with Tuberculosis of the Bilateral Axillary Lymph Nodes : A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Background: One of the first reported cases of the coexistence of breast carcinoma with tuberculosis of the axillary lymph nodes were in the 1800’s by Pilliet and Piatot.^(1-3) No literature states any link that suggests an evidence of tuberculosis being carcinogenic⁽⁴⁾. But the existence of tuberculosis can occur in cancer due to lowered immunity. World-wide only a few number of cases have been recorded up till now. We are presenting a rare case of 65 year old female who was operated for Ca breast and was diagnosed with axillary tuberculosis. Conclusions: Cancer and tuberculosis having a similar generalized appearance, a histology suspicion of calcifications in the lymph nodes should raise a possibility of tuberculosis even in absence of a history of contact with tuberculosis.