RT Book, Section
A1 Thompson, Jeffrey C.
A1 Ma, Kevin C.
A2 Grippi, Michael A.
A2 Antin-Ozerkis, Danielle E.
A2 Dela Cruz, Charles S.
A2 Kotloff, Robert M.
A2 Kotton, Camille Nelson
A2 Pack, Allan I.
SR Print(0)
ID 1195008714
T1 Malignant Pleural Effusions
T2 Fishman’s Pulmonary Diseases and Disorders, 6e
YR 2023
FD 2023
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781260473988
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1195008714
RD 2024/04/19
AB A  malignant  pleural  effusion  is  defined  by  the  accumulation  of  fluid  in  the  presence  of  malignant  cells  or  tumor  tissue  in  the  pleural  space.  Malignant  pleural  effusions  are  common,  affecting  approximately  15%  of  patients  with  malignancies,  and  account  for  more  than  125,000  hospitalizations  in  the  United  States  annually,  with  estimated  healthcare  costs  of  greater  than  $5  billion  per  year.1,2  The  incidence  of  malignant  pleural  effusions  is  expected  to  rise  as  a  result  of  the  increasing  global  cancer  prevalence  and  development  of  more  effective  systemic  therapies.3  The  presence  of  a  malignant  pleural  effusion  is  a  hallmark  of  advanced-stage  disease  and  denotes  a  poor  overall  prognosis,  with  a  median  survival  ranging  between  3  and  12  months  depending  on  the  primary  tumor  type.4  Although  some  patients  may  be  asymptomatic,  the  majority  develop  dyspnea  at  rest  with  associated  reduced  quality  of  life.5  Despite  advancements  in  understanding  the  pathophysiology  of  malignant  pleural  effusions  and  remarkable  progress  in  cancer  treatments  over  the  last  decade,  management  strategies  for  malignant  pleural  effusions  remain  palliative,  with  the  goal  of  relieving  patient  symptoms  and  minimizing  the  need  for  repeat  invasive  procedures.