Coexistence of pulmonary tuberculosis and cancer in 18 elderly patients

This paper reviews 18 patients aged more than 60 years with pulmonary tuberculosis and cancer proved by autopsy and/or biopsy with demonstration of acid-fast bacilli in the sputum.The clinical manifestations,radiological findings and characteristics of the pathology are described.The incidence of two diseases,simultaneously occurring in one patient,the relation-ship between cause and effect in these two diseases and the diagnosis are discussed.