title: Tuberculosis mimicking cervical carcinoma--case report.
abstract: Tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial infection that primarily results in pulmonary disease. Although there are several reported cases of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, very few reports have described this disease in the female genital tract. We present a case involving a 67-year-old woman who presented with vaginal discharge, abdominal discomfort, and a pelvic mass in 2006. Clinically, cervical carcinoma was suspected, but pathologic diagnosis eventually revealed tuberculosis of the cervix. Tuberculosis is associated with a significant inflammatory reaction, which may mimic a gynecologic malignancy on exam or with diagnostic imaging. Despite the rare incidence, tuberculosis of the cervix should be considered in the differential diagnosis when cervical carcinoma is initially suspected.
authors: Gynecologic Oncology Associates, Hoag Cancer Center, Newport Beach, CA 92663, USA.
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Micha
authors: J V
authors: JV
authors: Brown
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Birk
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Van Horn
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Rettenmaier
authors: B H
authors: BH
authors: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014384:Tuberculosis, Female Genital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology