Not all lung masses in smokers are malignant: A rare case of Anthracosis mimicking Lung cancer

Authors

  • Niraj Bam Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Milan Pokhrel Department of Internal Medicine, Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Kapil Khanal Department of Internal Medicine, Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/nrj.v4i1.83206

Keywords:

Anthracosis, Bronchoscopy, Lung cancer, Smoker

Abstract

Anthracosis and Lung cancer may present with similar clinical features such as Dyspnea, cough, and hemoptysis. A chest X-ray and computerized tomography (CT) scan may reveal a lung mass in both conditions, leading to a misdiagnosis. In this case report, we present a 60-year-old female smoker who was initially diagnosed with Lung cancer based on clinical and radiological findings. The lung mass was found to be anthracosis after a bronchoscopy and confirmed by histopathological examination. Thus, we emphasize that overreliance on a single diagnostic modality may lead to a false diagnosis, and a more comprehensive approach is necessary.

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Published

2025-08-15

How to Cite

Bam, N., Pokhrel, M., & Khanal, K. (2025). Not all lung masses in smokers are malignant: A rare case of Anthracosis mimicking Lung cancer. Nepalese Respiratory Journal, 4(1), 48–51. https://doi.org/10.3126/nrj.v4i1.83206

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Case Reports

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Nepalese Respiratory Society

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