[Indications for surgical treatment of pleural carcinosis]

In patients with pleural carcinosis the indication for operative treatment results from their signs and symptoms and from the diminution in quality of life. The functional operative risk should be minimal. Additional to the tumour manifestation limiting indication for operation must be excluded. The operation is indicated for patients with expanding effusions after ineffective pleurodesis, for patients with chambered effusions, for reduction in tumour size and to improve chemotherapeutic results, for alleviation of pain in expanding tumour masses, as well as by suspected pleural mesothelioma and by solitary tumour findings. The parietal pleura is resected to prevent fluid production. The visceral fine-decortication allows for reexpansion of the lung.