Diagnosis of Cancer after a Diagnosis of Tuberculosis

Several studies have found an association between tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer - though it's still not certain if TB is a cause of lung cancer. A new study set out to see if TB is associated with an increased risk of other cancers as well.

Researchers looked at people who were diagnosed with TB in Taiwan and compared these people to those without tuberculosis. Overall, those who were diagnosed with TB were almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with cancer. The results were broken down as follows:

• For men in the first year after a TB diagnosis there were increased rates of head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, and Hodgkin's disease.
• For men after the first year there were increased rates of liver, biliary, lung and bladder cancers.
• For women, there were increased rates of leukemia, esophageal cancer, and lung cancer in the first year.
• For women following the first year after a diagnosis of TB, there was an increased rate of leukemia.

Does this mean TB causes cancer?

There is some evidence that supports this. Chronic inflammation leading to DNA damage may play a role in the development of lung cancer. But there are many other variables. It's important to note that association doesn't mean causation. People eat more ice cream in the summer and there are more people who drown in the summer. But this doesn't mean that ice cream causes drowning.

What should be the take home message be?

For those who have been diagnosed with TB, doctors should be aware of this correlation, especially if patients have symptoms suggestive of cancer. For those with TB, having this awareness is a reminder to be aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer, and to see your doctor if you have any concern.

Read more about the connection between lung cancer and TB, how lung cancer may be misdiagnosed as TB, and how TB may affect those living with cancer:

Photo: A.D.A.M. Medical Encycopedia

_Source:

_{Kuo, S. et al. Association between tuberculosis infections and non-pulmonary malignancies: a nationwide population-based study. British Journal of Cancer. 2013 May 7. (Epub ahead of print).}

Source: http://lungcancer.about.com/b/2013/06/29/diagnosis-of-cancer-after-a-diagnosis-of-tuberculosis.htm

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