Pulmonary infections mimicking malignancy on bronchoscopy: A retrospective single-center study in Japan.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pulmonary infections can imitate pulmonary neoplasms. Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a typical example of an infection that mimics cancer and results in unexpected exposure of healthcare workers to TB. A large number of patients with suspected lung malignancy are referred to cancer centers, although the epidemiology of the final diagnosis is unclear in Japan. This study aimed to determine the frequency and nature of pulmonary infections that imitate malignancy among patients with presumed lung cancer that is subsequently diagnosed as a pulmonary infection based on bronchoscopy findings. We also aimed to identify the prevalence of formerly undiagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis that could pose an occupational risk to healthcare workers.

Methods

This single-center retro

SUBMITTER: Itoh N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7796787 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature