Tuberculosis and Neoplasm: A Glimpse into the Research
Introduction
Tuberculosis (TB) and cancer, specifically lung cancer, are two major public health issues worldwide. The relationship between these two diseases has been a subject of research for several decades. Recent studies have expanded the view that tuberculosis is an important risk factor for lung cancer occurrence.
Tuberculosis and Lung Cancer: The Connection
It is becoming clearer that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), the bacterium causing tuberculosis, meticulously schemes multiple mechanisms to induce tumor formation and is indispensable to participate in the occurrence of lung cancer. In addition to the infection, other factors such as age, sex, and smoking habits accelerate the development of lung cancer.
Lung cancer originates from chronic inflammation and infection. The World Health Organization reported that about 1.76 million people worldwide die of lung cancer each year. Tuberculosis is another major public health problem worldwide, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. About a third of people are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and about 1.4 million people died from TB in 2019.
The Role of Anti-Cancer and Anti-Tuberculosis Treatments
Data concerning TB treatment in lung cancer patients are still incomplete. However, a study aimed to investigate the effects of anti-cancer and anti-tuberculosis treatments in lung cancer patients with active lung TB. The study found that both anti-cancer and anti-tuberculosis treatments can be safely and effectively administered in lung cancer patients with active lung TB. Attention should be paid to the risk of tuberculosis in lung cancer patients in TB high-burden countries.
Conclusion
The relationship between tuberculosis and lung cancer is complex and multifaceted. While research has shed light on some aspects of this relationship, much remains to be understood. The insights gained from these studies are fostering new diagnoses and therapeutic approaches to prevent patients from developing lung cancer from tuberculosis.
References
“The relationship between previous pulmonary tuberculosis and risk of lung cancer in the future” - Infectious Agents and Cancer : “The effect of anti-cancer and anti-tuberculosis treatments in lung cancer patients with active tuberculosis: a retrospective analysis” - BMC Cancer
