Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Pleura Masquerading as Tuberculous Abscess: A Rare Case Report and Review of Literature

Primary pleural SCC is a rare pleural malignancy which has seldom been reported. Here we report a case of a 47 year male who presented with low grade fever, persistent chest pain and loss of appetite for 3 months along with a positive history of contact. CECT thorax demonstrated   fluid collection in the pleural space along with fibrotic patch and cytology revealed extensive necrosis. Based on above findings   provisional diagnosis of tuberculous abscess was made and subsequently anti- tuberculous treatment   was started. Later on after 3 months patient again presented with similar complaints and physical examination revealed a bulging mass on back which was aspirated and sent for cytology which revealed features consistent with the diagnosis of   poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. This was later confirmed by CECT thorax, showing heterogeneous mass with pleural thickening and invasion. Histopathology eventually confirmed the diagnosis of primary pleural squamous cell carcinoma.