CASE REPORT article
Front. Oncol.
Sec. Thoracic Oncology
Management Challenges of Active Tuberculosis Complicated by Thrombocytosis and Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma
Chen Zhu 1
Yan Li Xu 2
Hong Bao Ma 2
Xiao Ying Li 2
Ting Shu Jiang 1
1. Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, China
2. Yantai Qishan hospital, Yantai, China
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Abstract
Background:This report assesses the feasibility of a sequential treatment strategy for a patient with active tuberculosis (TB) complicated by thrombocytosis and squamous cell lung carcinoma,involving initial anti-TB therapy combined with aspirin, followed by anticancer treatment. It highlights the challenge of balancing infection control, hematologic stability, and oncologic management in this complex scenario. Case Presentation:A 55-year-old man with a 15-day history of cough, sputum, and fever was found to have markedly elevated platelet levels. Bronchoscopy confirmed active tuberculosis with concurrent lung cancer. Following anti-tuberculosis therapy combined with aspirin for antiplatelet management, platelet counts returned to normal. One month later, anti-tumor chemotherapy with nab-paclitaxel and carboplatin was initiated, leading to effective disease control. Conclusion:Active tuberculosis complicated by thrombocytosis and squamous cell lung carcinoma poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.This case demonstrates that early anti-tuberculosis therapy combined with aspirin can effectively normalize platelet counts and facilitate the timely initiation of anticancer treatment.
Summary
Keywords
Active tuberculosis, Anti-tuberculosis therapy, Anti-tumor treatment, Squamous cell lung carcinoma, Thrombocytosis
Received
13 October 2025
Accepted
18 February 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Zhu, Xu, Ma, Li and Jiang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Hong Bao Ma; Xiao Ying Li
Disclaimer
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