Tuberculosis of the Breast

Tuberculosis of the breast is an extremely rare disease. That needs to be differentiated from inflammatory breast cancer, acute or subacute breast abscess and actinomycosis of the breast in order for it to be treated effectively. However, tuberculosis of the breast is difficult to diagnose because of the diagnostic methods used. In addition, significant time is needed to identify tuberculosis by culture. We experienced a case of tuberculosis of the breast that developed during the anti-tuberculous medication. The patient was diagnosed quickly using tuberculosis PCR and treated with a combination of a surgical excision and anti-tuberculous medication.

Tuberculosis of the Breast

Tuberculosis of the breast is a rare disease. Its diagnosis is difficult because clinical and radiological appearances are not specific and because isolation of the tubercle bacillus from the lesion is seldom possible. This disease is more common in women between 20 to 40 years of age, but is rare in male, elderly patients and prepubertal women. Difinite diagnosis rests on bacterilogical proof and histopathological findings -formation of a granuloma and usually caseous necrosis with or without demonstrable acid-fast bacilli. Treatment of the disease requires a combination of surgery and antitubercular drugs. We experienced 10 cases of tuberculosis of the breast and report with on them along a literature review.