A Simultaneous Presentation of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Latent Cervical Tuberculosis: Insights into a Complex Case

Abstract

Background and Clinical Significance: Tuberculosis infection triggers a chronic inflammatory response that can create a favorable environment for the development of cancer cells. Chronic inflammation can lead to DNA damage, increased cell proliferation, and impaired immune surveillance. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is an aggressive malignant tumor with a very poor prognosis, despite the current oncology therapy. Case Presentation: The case presents following clinical, imaging, and histopathological aspects, as well as the oncological follow-up of the patient over a period of 8 years. This paper presents the case of a 49-year-old patient diagnosed with cervical lymph node tuberculosis while biopsied for the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with cervical lymph node metastases. Conclusions: The overlap of this malignancy with an infection of mycobacterial etiology complicates the outcome of the disease even more, making treatment and prognosis difficult.