Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: Lung infections mimicking cancer
The WJPR includes peer-reviewed publications such as scientific research papers, reports, review articles, company news, thesis reports and case studies in areas of Biology, Pharmaceutical industries and Chemical technology while incorporating ancient fields of knowledge such combining Ayurveda with scientific data.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Subtitle: antibiotics efficiency
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
Dr. J. Fatihi, S. Bellasri and H. Janah
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:
(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified International Journal)
Full text available for: Lung infections mimicking cancer
Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research
Doi: 10.20959/wjpr201710-9353
Copyright (license): WJPR: All rights reserved
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Lung infections that mimic malignancy pose a significant diagnostic challenge due to the overlap in clinical symptoms and radiological findings between infectious diseases and lung cancer. This article presents two clinical cases where patients exhibited signs suggestive of lung cancer, yet were ultimately diagnosed with pulmonary infections: tuberculosis and actinomycosis. The cases highlight the importance of distinguishing between these conditions through appropriate diagnostic procedures, including image-guided biopsy techniques.
The Burden of Tuberculosis
The first case involves a 35-year-old woman presenting with classic symptoms such as a non-productive cough, fever, and notable weight loss. Initial chest radiography and subsequent CT scans suggested malignancy, revealing a significant mass in the left upper lobe. However, a CT-guided biopsy returned positive for granulomas indicative of tuberculosis. Following the diagnosis, the patient responded favorably to a standard anti-tuberculosis regimen, demonstrating the importance of considering tuberculosis in differential diagnoses for lung masses.
Misdiagnosis of Actinomycosis
The second case features a 73-year-old male who exhibited respiratory distress compounded by poor oral hygiene, further complicated by the presence of a right parahilar lung mass. Despite chest imaging suggesting malignancy, a CT-guided biopsy resulted in the unexpected diagnosis of actinomycosis, characterized by the presence of “sulphur granules” in the biopsy sample. Treatment with intravenous penicillin followed by oral amoxicillin led to a successful outcome, underscoring the potential for misdiagnosis of actinomycosis as a neoplastic process.
Role of Imaging and Biopsy
Both cases illustrate the challenges faced in differentiating infectious pulmonary conditions from lung cancer based solely on imaging studies. The variations in clinical presentations and overlapping radiological features necessitate the use of invasive procedures such as CT-guided biopsies for definitive diagnosis. Pathological examination can provide critical insights that guide effective treatment plans, reinforcing the value of timely and accurate diagnostic measures.
Conclusion
Pulmonary infections, particularly tuberculosis and actinomycosis, should be seriously considered in differential diagnoses for patients presenting with lung masses suggestive of cancer. The increasing prevalence of such infections necessitates vigilance and thorough investigation to prevent misdiagnosis. Familiarity with the clinical manifestations and radiological appearances of these infections can profoundly impact patient outcomes and guide appropriate therapeutic interventions.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What are lung infections mimicking cancer commonly mistaken for?
Lung infections can exhibit clinical and radiological features that resemble malignancies, making accurate diagnosis challenging. Common infections include tuberculosis, actinomycosis, and various other microbial infections.
What clinical symptoms did the first patient present with?
The first patient, a 35-year-old woman, exhibited a 2-month history of non-productive cough, intermittent fever, and significant weight loss of 6 kg, with unremarkable physical examination results.
How was tuberculosis diagnosed in the first case clinically?
In the first case, a CT-guided thoracic biopsy revealed granulomas consistent with pulmonary tuberculosis, after imaging suggested a malignant mass in the lungs.
What was the second patient's diagnosis after thoracic biopsy?
The second patient was diagnosed with actinomycosis following a CT-guided biopsy, which initially appeared as malignancy due to similar clinical and radiographic presentations.
What treatment was effective for both lung infections reported?
Both patients responded favorably to specific antibiotic therapies: the first to anti-tuberculosis medication, and the second to intravenous penicillin followed by oral amoxicillin.
Why is differentiation between infections and cancer crucial?
Accurate differentiation is vital to avoid unnecessary treatments for presumed malignancy and to ensure timely and appropriate management of infectious diseases like tuberculosis and actinomycosis.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Lung infections mimicking cancer”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Tuberculosis:
Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It often presents with symptoms that mimic lung cancer, making diagnosis challenging. TB primarily affects the lungs but can involve other organs. In the discussed cases, the accurate identification of TB allowed for effective treatment with anti-TB drugs.
2) Cancer:
Cancer refers to a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. In lung presentations, it can show symptoms and radiological signs similar to infections like tuberculosis or actinomycosis. Distinguishing between lung cancer and mimicking infections is crucial for correct diagnosis and timely treatment to improve patient outcomes.
3) Disease:
A disease is an illness characterized by specific symptoms and signs. In the paper, pulmonary infections are discussed as diseases that can mimic malignancy. Misdiagnosing these infections as cancer can lead to inappropriate treatments, emphasizing the need for accurate identification to ensure proper management and recovery.
4) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
Antibiotics are medications used to treat bacterial infections. In the cases presented, antibiotics were crucial in managing pulmonary infections, such as tuberculosis and actinomycosis. Effective antibiotic therapy resulted in the improvement of the patients' conditions, highlighting antibiotics' role in treating infections that can be mistaken for cancer.
5) Inflammation:
Inflammation is the body’s response to injury or infection, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain. In the context of the discussed cases, the presence of inflammation can be significant in histopathological findings, often indicating an infectious process. This process can mimic the signs of malignancy in imaging studies.
6) Medicine:
Medicine encompasses the science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases. The management of the pulmonary infections discussed underlines the importance of medical interventions and the need for a thorough understanding of various conditions to distinguish infections from malignancies, ensuring effective and appropriate treatment.
7) Pain:
Pain is a subjective experience often associated with injury, disease, or other medical conditions. In the cases presented, patients experienced symptoms such as chest pain, which can lead to medical investigations. Identifying the source of pain is essential for distinguishing between infections and malignancies during diagnosis.
8) Discussion:
Discussion refers to the examination of various findings and implications within a medical context. In this article, the discussion emphasizes how lung infections can mimic cancer, presenting with similar symptoms and imaging results. A comprehensive discussion aids healthcare providers in considering all potential diagnoses to enhance patient care.
9) Evolution:
Evolution, in medical terms, refers to the progress or changes in a patient's condition over time. The article highlights the positive evolution of the patients following accurate diagnosis and treatment of their infections. Understanding disease evolution is critical in gauging treatment effectiveness and making necessary adjustments for better health outcomes.
10) Hygiene (Hygienic):
Hygiene refers to practices that prevent disease and promote health. In the context of the discussed cases, poor oral hygiene was noted in one patient, aligning with the occurrence of actinomycosis. Maintaining proper hygiene can reduce the risk of infections, which can complicate clinical presentations mimicking malignancies.
11) Fever:
Fever is a common clinical sign of infection characterized by an elevated body temperature. In the presented cases, fever was noted as a symptom in one patient, indicating an inflammatory response. Recognizing fever helps guide clinicians toward possible infectious causes that may mimic cancerous conditions in diagnostics.
12) Study (Studying):
Study, in this context, refers to the research and clinical investigation of cases and conditions. The article represents a study of lung infections resembling malignancies, highlighting the need for accurate diagnosis through case analysis. Such studies contribute to expanding medical knowledge and improving diagnostic accuracy for similar future cases.
13) Sign:
A sign is an objective indication of a medical condition, recognizable by healthcare providers. In the discussed cases, radiological signs were crucial in raising suspicion for malignancy. However, recognizing the signs of infections is vital, as misinterpretation could lead to incorrect diagnoses and management strategies.
14) Hand:
Hand, in clinical terms, may refer to the practice of medicine as in handling or managing patient care. For the discussed infections, the handling of cases through diagnosis, biopsy, and treatment exemplifies the critical role healthcare professionals play in identifying and mitigating misdiagnosis between infections and cancer.
15) Drug:
A drug is a substance used for medical treatment. In the context of the article, specific drugs were essential in treating the infections presented. Effective drug therapy allows for recovery from conditions that may otherwise be misdiagnosed as cancer, emphasizing the importance of appropriate treatment in infectious diseases.
16) Viru:
The term 'viru' likely refers to viruses, although not prominently discussed in this article. Infections can be caused by various pathogens, including viruses. Understanding different types of infections and their implications is crucial for differential diagnosis, notably differentiating between viral infections and conditions like tuberculosis or cancer.
17) Pur:
Poor health status, including poor oral hygiene noted in one patient, can influence the development of certain infections. Such conditions increase the susceptibility to infections like actinomycosis, which can mimic malignancies. Recognizing patient background factors, like hygiene, aids in understanding the clinical picture presented.
18) Male:
Male refers to the gender of one of the patients discussed. Gender can influence the prevalence and presentation of certain medical conditions. In this study, the male patient exemplifies that age and gender-specific factors are important in understanding clinical presentations and management of illnesses similar to malignancies.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Lung infections mimicking cancer’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Computed tomography, Lung cancer, Chest radiograph, Pulmonary infection, Imaging findings, Pathological diagnosis, Anti-TB-therapy, Ex-smoker, Lung infection.