Breast tuberculosis in a postmenopausal woman with an insidious manner: a case report

Mammary tissue, skeletal muscle, and spleen are less frequently affected by mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). The most common age for breast TB is between 50 and 70. On this article, we are reporting a 72-year-old woman who presented with chronic cough, lobar consolidation in right middle lobe (RML) on the CXR, and a mass in her right breast revealed on the physical examination. Biopsy from the breast lesion showed granulomatous changes and acid fast bacilli were detected by bronchoalveolar lavage. Treatment for TB was begun and the patient showed significant improvement. Based on the patient’s age, breast carcinoma was suspected first. Sinus formation was found on her breast ultrasound. This is a common finding and not diagnostic for TB. Our report is a reminder that although breast masses in older women tend to be more malignant, tuberculosis should be considered in differential diagnosis, especially in postmenopausal women. Moreover, breast TB can present with insidious growth without any symptoms.