Malignant Pleural Effusion: Medical Approaches for Diagnosis and Management.
10.4046/trd.2014.76.5.211
- Author:
Hae Seong NAM
1
Author Information
1. Center for Lung Cancer and Division of Pulmonary, Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea. hsnam@inha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Diagnosis;
Pleural Effusion, Malignant;
Disease Management
- MeSH:
Diagnosis*;
Disease Management;
Mortality;
Pleural Effusion;
Pleural Effusion, Malignant*
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
2014;76(5):211-217
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are the second leading cause of exudative pleural effusions after parapneumonic effusions. In the vast majority of cases, a MPE signifies incurable disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Considerable advances have been made for the diagnosis of MPEs, through the development of improved methods in the specialized cytological and imaging studies. The cytological or histological confirmation of malignant cells is currently important in establishing a diagnosis. Furthermore, despite major advancements in cancer treatment for the past two decades, management of MPE remains palliative. This article presents a comprehensive review of the medical approaches for diagnosis and management of MPE.
