Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
Pleural effusion in breast cancer. Thoracoscopy for hormone receptor determination
Abstract:
Metastatic breast cancer frequently presents as a malignant pleural effusion. Knowledge of the estrogen and progesterone receptor status of the tumor predicts response to hormonal therapy, but breast cancer tissue in the pleural space is not readily accessible for hormone receptor determination. Thoracoscopy was used in six breast cancer patients with pleural effusions; all but one had concurrent sites of metastases. In five of six women recurrent breast cancer in the pleural cavity was diagnosed by thoracoscopy, and in four sufficient tissue was obtained for receptor assay. All patients achieved excellent control of their pleural effusions through a combination of local sclerotic measures and systemic therapy. Thoracoscopy is a safe procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia and is useful to visualize the pleural space, not only for diagnosis but also for obtaining breast cancer tissue for hormone receptor determination.
More Related Videos
03:07Single-Port Robotic-assisted Transaxillary Breast-conserving Surgery: A Prospective, Single-arm, Non-randomized Phase IIa Clinical Trial
Published on: August 19, 2025
11:17Thoracoscopic Extended Right Middle Plus Lower Sleeve Lobectomy for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: February 27, 2026
Related Concept Videos
Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's criteria,...
Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
Endoscopic Studies I: Bronchoscopy and Thoracoscopy
Bronchoscopy
Description
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that involves direct visualization of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. A flexible fiber optic or rigid bronchoscope is used to carry out the procedure. The fiber-optic bronchoscope is more frequently used due to...
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology