# Pulmonary Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma and Tuberculosis: A Rare Association With Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges

## TL;DR

A 68-year-old woman had both tuberculosis and a rare type of lung lymphoma, highlighting the need for thorough diagnosis when symptoms persist.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the rare coexistence of tuberculosis and pulmonary MALT lymphoma and emphasizes diagnostic challenges.

## Key findings

- The patient had persistent radiological abnormalities despite tuberculosis treatment, leading to a lymphoma diagnosis.
- Immunochemotherapy successfully treated the MALT lymphoma, achieving complete remission.
- The case underscores the importance of considering malignancies in atypical tuberculosis presentations.

## Abstract

This case report describes the rare coexistence of pulmonary tuberculosis and pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma in a 68-year-old woman. The initial diagnosis of tuberculosis was supported by clinical, radiological, and microbiological findings, and the patient started on standard tuberculostatic therapy. However, the persistence of radiological abnormalities after several months of appropriate treatment, despite improvement in pleural effusion, raised suspicion for an underlying malignancy. Subsequent imaging and histopathological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of primary pulmonary MALT lymphoma. The patient was successfully treated with immunochemotherapy, achieving complete remission. This case underscores the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for alternative or concomitant diagnoses, particularly malignancies, when tuberculosis exhibits an atypical clinical course or when radiological findings fail to resolve as expected. Furthermore, it highlights the need for thorough diagnostic evaluation in patients with persistent pulmonary abnormalities to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis and management.