A rare case of cervical tuberculosis mimicking carcinoma cervix

Abstract

Cervical tuberculosis is a rare entity with only limited number of case reports in the literature. A 53 year old, P1, post-menopausal housewife presented with history of one episode of post-menopausal bleeding and whitish discharge per vaginum. Speculum examination revealed an ulceroproliferative cervical growth. Clinically she was diagnosed to have carcinoma cervix. However, cervical biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of cervical tuberculosis. She was treated with anti-tubercular drugs for six months and has been disease free for the last two years. This case emphasizes the fact that though cervical tuberculosis is rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of carcinoma cervix.

Primary tuberculosis of cervix mimicking carcinoma: A rare case

“…TB of cervix can present with various ways and may at times even mimic malignancy. [ 3 4 ] The diagnosis of cervical TB is difficult clinically as the symptoms and physical examination usually do not give clues to the disease. Pelvic organs are infected from a primary focus, usually the chest, by hematogenous spread.…”

“…There may be a hypertrophy of the cervix or show friable papillary or vegetative growth simulating invasive cervical cancer. [ 4 5 6 ] The diagnosis of cervical TB is usually made by histological examination of a cervical punch biopsy specimen. Microscopically, there will be an extensive chronic inflammation with the presence of caseating or noncaseating granulomas in most of the cases.…”