Mycobacterium avium complex lung infection mimics lung cancer nodules but improves after antibiotic therapy: a case series

These cases represent typical examples of an increasingly common infection that can be mistaken for lung cancer, particularly in endemic areas such as the Southeast United States. Infectious etiologies, especially non-tuberculous mycobacteria, are capable of mimicking lung cancer. An empiric, 3-month course of azithromycin for suspected MAC lung infection resulting in significant nodule size reduction verifies that it is infectious and not malignant, thereby preventing invasive, potentially morbid, and expensive evaluations, including unnecessary surgery.