Tuberculosis Co-Infection in Lung Cancer

Abstract

Lung cancer and tuberculosis are two diseases with large numbers of cases and high mortality rates. Pulmonary tuberculosis is an infection in the lungs caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer often present with similar clinical symptoms, and there is often a delay in diagnosis. Tuberculosis co-infection in lung cancer patients is found to be approximately 2. Several studies have shown a positive correlation between pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer. A person with a history of tuberculosis has a 1.7-2 times greater risk of developing lung cancer. Co-infection of tuberculosis and lung cancer can occur sequentially or simultaneously. The mechanism of lung cancer with a history of tuberculosis is due to chronic inflammation, scarring or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation. While comorbid tuberculosis in lung cancer may occur with two mechanisms, due to tumorigenesis caused by tuberculosis or tuberculosis induced cancer. Proper and rapid diagnosis of comorbid tuberculosis in lung cancer is a challenge so that patients receive appropriate treatment.