Coexistence of Carcinoma and Tuberculosis in the Cecum: A Clinical Conundrum.

Abstract

The coexistence of carcinoma of the colon and tuberculosis (TB) represents a rare and intricate clinical scenario. Itposessignificant challenges in both diagnosis and management. Clinical prediction of this coexistence is challenging since the clinical features of these two conditions are often similar. Likewise, the radiology is not decisive because of the significant overlap in the image findings of carcinoma and TB. A conclusive diagnosis relies on histopathological evidence of both malignancy and TB. Here, we report a case of a 58-year-old female who presented with chronic abdominal pain. Computed tomography showed the presence of a mass in the cecum. Histopathologyof tissue retrieved through colonoscopy was indicative of features ofboth TB and adenocarcinoma of the cecum. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected in the tissue by cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test. The patient was initiated onantitubercular treatment. She underwent surgical resection of the mass and is planned for adjuvant chemotherapy.