A Medical Error of Misdiagnosis of Lung Cancer as Pleural Tuberculosis: A Case Report

Abstract

The clinical presentations of lung cancer often mimic that of pulmonary or pleural tuberculosis. Misdiagnosing lung cancer as tuberculosis and treating with antitubercular drugs though common in areas prevalent with disease is not only taxing the patients with multiple medications but is also leading to undue delays in the diagnosis of lung cancer. Careful analysis of history, systematic & detailed clinical evaluation, appropriate investigations, and clinical expertise of the treating physician is crucial in establishing the diagnosis. We report a case of pulmonary adenocarcinoma with left-sided pleural effusion initially misdiagnosed as pleural tuberculosis.