Tuberculosis mimicking cervical carcinoma--case report

• Published in: European journal of gynaecological oncology Vol. 28; no. 4; p. 316
• Main Authors: Micha, J P, Brown, 3rd, J V, Birk, C, Van Horn, D, Rettenmaier, M A, Goldstein, B H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy 2007
• Subjects: Aged; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Tuberculosis, Female Genital - diagnosis; Tuberculosis, Female Genital - pathology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - diagnosis; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - pathology
• ISSN: 0392-2936

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.