Tuberculosis of the Breast: A Review of 16 Cases

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the clinico-pathological profile of the patients with tuberculosis of the breast. Materials and Methods: The clinico-pathological data of the patients with tuberculosis of the breast, who were reviewed from June 2004 to June 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Sixteen patients (2.01%) had tuberculosis of the breast out of 796 patients with breast lesions. A breast lump was the presenting symptom in 6 patients and a lump with a sinus was the symptom in 5 patients. Fine needle aspiration (FNAC) and biopsy were the diagnostic methods which were used. All the patients were treated with antitubercular treatment (ATT). Three patients needed additional surgical procedures. Conclusion: Tuberculosis of the breast is a rare disease, which presents most commonly as a lump. As it mimics carcinoma of the breast, it can be a diagnostic dilemma. FNAC and biopsy are the mainstay of the diagnosis and imaging also offers little benefit. ATT is an effective line of management, along with a limited role of surgery.

Keywords

• granulomatous inflammation
• breast
• tuberculosis
• mastitis