Breast Tuberculosis in Iran: A Comprehensive Review

• Published in: International journal of mycobacteriology Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Babamahmoodi, Farhang, Babamahmoodi, Abdolreza, Barzegar, Rahim, Sadr, Makan, Rezaei, Mitra, Marjani, Majid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer - Medknow 2024; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Edition: 2
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis; Antitubercular agents; Antitubercular Agents - therapeutic use; Breast - microbiology; Breast - pathology; breast disease; Breast diseases; Breast Diseases - diagnosis; Breast Diseases - drug therapy; Breast Diseases - epidemiology; Breast Diseases - microbiology; Breast Diseases - pathology; Care and treatment; Complications and side effects; Diagnosis; Diagnostic errors; Dosage and administration; Drug therapy; Epidemiology; Female; granulomatosis; Humans; Identification and classification; Iran - epidemiology; Male; mastitis; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Prevention; Review Article; Risk factors; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis - diagnosis; Tuberculosis - drug therapy; Tuberculosis - epidemiology; Tuberculosis - microbiology; Young Adult; Iran; granulomatosis; Breast disease; mastitis; tuberculosis
• ISSN: 2212-5531; 2212-554X; 2212-554X
• DOI: 10.4103/ijmy.ijmy_32_24

Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern and kills millions of people every year. While TB can affect any organ in the body, breast TB is relatively uncommon. This study presents a comprehensive review of literature spanning 23 years, with a focus on cases of breast TB in Iran. Among the 96 cases found, the majority (89.6%) fell within the age range of 20-60, with a striking prevalence among women (98.9%). Common symptoms included pain and palpable mass, each presenting in approximately 60.4% of cases. Notably, only a quarter of patients had a confirmed history of exposure to a known TB case. Left breast involvement was more prevalent (58.3%), with ipsilateral lymph node enlargement observed in 40.6% of cases. Given the clinical presentation of breast TB, which often leads to misdiagnosis, a significant proportion of cases (68.7%) were diagnosed through excisional biopsy. Following a standard 6-month regimen of anti-TB drugs, relapse occurred in only 4.2% of cases. This study highlights the need for heightened awareness and vigilance in diagnosing breast TB, especially in regions with a high burden. Although breast TB poses diagnostic challenges, with prompt identification and treatment, the prognosis is generally favorable, with a low incidence of relapse.