A case of cervical lymph node tuberculosis and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in the same lymph node

Abstract

We report a rare coexistence of tuberculosis and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the same lymph node (LN). A 74-year-old woman with a swollen right cervix underwent computed tomography, which showed a nodule in the right lung and swollen LNs of the mediastinum and right supraclavicular fossa. She was diagnosed with LN tuberculosis; the puncture cytology of the clavicular LN was class IV. Anti-tuberculosis treatment was initiated. Her neck was compressed due to LN enlargement, and dyspnea appeared. A biopsy was performed to diagnose the SCC. We propose that malignancy should be considered if the patient has a narrowed airway due to an enlarged LN or if the response to tuberculosis treatment is poor.

Keywords

• Cervical lymph node
• Tuberculosis
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Coexistence
• Lung cancer