Tuberculosis -Patient Information

TB is an infection caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). It is usually a chronic smoldering infection.It usually affects the lung but can occur in almost any part of the body. Related bacteria collectively called atypical mycobacterium or Mycobacterium other than TB (MOTT) can also cause infections.

It is a disease that can affect virtually anyone, although people with silicosis diabetes cancer renal failure and HIV infection are more susceptible.

The initial treatment of TB is drugs also called antituberculous chemotherapy. It is a combination of drugs given over 6 -9months and occasionally longer.

You may have been coughing up blood (Hemoptysis); this could be from a cavity in your lung that has been destroyed by TB and now houses a fungal ball (Aspergilloma). When the offending cavity and the part of the lung housing it is removed (lobectomy) you will stop coughing up blood.
You could have a trapped lung preventing it from expanding because of a thick peel (like an orange peel) could be covering your lung because of TB (Empyema). A decortication removal of peel helps reexpand your lung.
There could be a communication between your lung and chest cavity (bronchopleural fistula) with or without pus in the chest cavity (pyothorax). Closing the communication and clearing the pus is necessary. The airway passages (bronchi) could have scarred and narrowed (bronchial stenosis). The stenosis has to be widened.
You could have TB that is resistant to drug treatment – multi-drug resistant TB (MDRTB). Removal of lung is the only way to reduce the bacterial load.
There may be a chance that you have lung cancer as well and that is the reason for recommending surgery.
The lymph glands in your chest may be swollen and your doctor wants to rule out cancer or lymphoma.



	Patient Information - Tuberculosis Click here to post your personal queries to our surgeons FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TUBERCULOSIS What is tuberculosis (TB)? TB is an infection caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). It is usually a chronic smoldering infection.It usually affects the lung but can occur in almost any part of the body. Related bacteria collectively called atypical mycobacterium or Mycobacterium other than TB (MOTT) can also cause infections. Who gets TB? It is a disease that can affect virtually anyone, although people with silicosis diabetes cancer renal failure and HIV infection are more susceptible. What is the treatment? The initial treatment of TB is drugs also called antituberculous chemotherapy. It is a combination of drugs given over 6 -9months and occasionally longer. My doctor has said I need an operation on my lungs for my TB, why do I need it? There are situations in some patients with TB where an operation is necessary. You may have been coughing up blood (Hemoptysis); this could be from a cavity in your lung that has been destroyed by TB and now houses a fungal ball (Aspergilloma). When the offending cavity and the part of the lung housing it is removed (lobectomy) you will stop coughing up blood. You could have a trapped lung preventing it from expanding because of a thick peel (like an orange peel) could be covering your lung because of TB (Empyema). A decortication removal of peel helps reexpand your lung. There could be a communication between your lung and chest cavity (bronchopleural fistula) with or without pus in the chest cavity (pyothorax). Closing the communication and clearing the pus is necessary. The airway passages (bronchi) could have scarred and narrowed (bronchial stenosis). The stenosis has to be widened. You could have TB that is resistant to drug treatment – multi-drug resistant TB (MDRTB). Removal of lung is the only way to reduce the bacterial load. There may be a chance that you have lung cancer as well and that is the reason for recommending surgery. The lymph glands in your chest may be swollen and your doctor wants to rule out cancer or lymphoma.
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