Tuberculosis mimicking cervical carcinoma--case report.
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.
Micha
J P
JP
Gynecologic Oncology Associates, Hoag Cancer Center, Newport Beach, CA 92663, USA.
Brown
J V
JV
Birk
C
C
Van Horn
D
D
Rettenmaier
M A
MA
Goldstein
B H
BH
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