Abstract
A 42-year-old male, exposed to asbestos for 20 years, was admitted complaining of cough, fever and dyspnea. The characteristic finding of the chest roentgenogram was a tumorous shadow in the right upper lung field, in addition to the findings of asbestosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis were detected in sputum. Ferruginous bodies were also isolated from sputum. Cytological diagnosis of the sputum and percutaneous needle biopsy of the lung was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. After conservative treatment of approximately 6 months duration, he died of cor pulmonale.
Autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with moderate asbestosis. The pathological examination of the specimen revealed an incipient tuberculosis lesion but no active tuberculous lesion.
The intercorrelation between pulmonary asbestosis, bronchogenic carcinoma and pulmonary tuberculosis was discussed.
