Thoracic tuberculosis, mycobacteriosis, MERosis, and BCGosis in a cancer treatment center.

Radiographs and clinical records of 100 patients with tuberculosis or mycobacteriosis and six patients infected with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) or methanol extraction residue of BCG (MER) were reviewed. Radiographic presentations were categorized. Tuberculosis or mycobacteriosis simulated pulmonary neoplasm in 64 patients. Tuberculosis or mycobacteriosis complicated pulmonary neoplasm, hematological neoplasm, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome in 27. Coincident tuberculosis or mycobacteriosis and bronchogenic carcinoma were encountered in seven. Bronchogenic carcinoma developed in an area of chronic stable tuberculosis in three. Miliary granulomatous lesions developed in four following MER immunotherapy and in two following BCG immunotherapy. Differentiating tuberculosis or mycobacteriosis from bronchogenic carcinoma, metastasis, or pneumonia was difficult and biopsy was often necessary.