Tuberculosis and metastatic carcinoma coexistence in axillary lymph node: A case report

Abstract

Background: Coexistence of cancer and tuberculosis in axillary lymph nodes is rare. Only seven cases have been reported in the literature. Case Report: We report here a case of infiltrating ductal carcinoma breast metastasizing to the axillary lymph node along with tubercular granuloma in the same lymph node without primary mammary or pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusion: Primary tuberculosis coexisting with carcinoma is of rare occurrence. A possibility should always be borne in mind especially in patients from endemic areas. © 2003 Pandey et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.