What Are the Differences Between Tuberculosis and Lung Cancer?

Tuberculosis and lung cancer are two completely different lung diseases. The former is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, while the latter is a neoplastic disease characterized by malignant proliferation of lung tissue. There are significant differences between them in etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment methods.

Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, which spreads through airborne droplets. Common high-risk factors for infection include weakened immunity and long-term close contact with patients. In contrast, the occurrence of lung cancer is related to multiple factors such as smoking, air pollution, long-term exposure to carcinogens like asbestos, chronic lung diseases, and familial inheritance.

Tuberculosis typically manifests as cough and expectoration lasting more than two weeks, sometimes accompanied by hemoptysis, dyspnea, night sweats, weight loss, and persistent low fever. The symptoms of lung cancer are partially similar to those of tuberculosis but with more hemoptysis, rapid weight loss, and may be accompanied by more severe manifestations such as chest pain, hoarseness, and recurrent lung infections. Specific symptoms need to be distinguished based on medical history and imaging examinations.

The diagnosis of tuberculosis usually relies on chest X-rays, tuberculin tests, and sputum examinations for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The diagnosis of lung cancer requires more precise imaging examinations such as chest CT and PET-CT, and may also involve tissue biopsy and tumor marker detection for confirmation and classification.

The treatment of tuberculosis mainly relies on antituberculous drugs such as isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide, with a relatively long treatment course of 6-9 months. Treatment must strictly follow medical advice and cannot be discontinued arbitrarily. For lung cancer, depending on the stage and type, treatment methods include surgical resection (e.g., early-stage non-small cell lung cancer), radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, usually requiring multidisciplinary collaboration. Especially for advanced lung cancer, precision treatment is emphasized to improve patients' quality of life.

The prevention of tuberculosis mainly involves reducing the risk of infection through vaccination with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), improving nutrition, and avoiding close contact with patients. The prevention of lung cancer tends to focus on avoiding tobacco, reducing exposure to air pollution, maintaining a healthy diet, and undergoing regular physical examinations. Tuberculosis can usually be cured through standard treatment, but the cure rate for lung cancer is low, especially for patients who have progressed to the middle or late stages. Once respiratory symptoms such as persistent cough, expectoration, and hemoptysis appear, seek medical attention promptly for diagnosis and early treatment.