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Updated: Jan 12, 2026
03:22
Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
1.4K
A patient-centred approach to malignant pleural effusion
Matthew Shorthose1, Rebecca Crook2, Rahul Bhatnagar2
1Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cheltenham, UK.
European Clinical Respiratory Journal
|November 5, 2025
Summary
Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) treatment now emphasizes outpatient symptom control and patient-centered goals. New options like indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) and local anesthetic thoracoscopy (LAT) improve management for complex cases.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Oncology
- Palliative Care
Background:
- Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) affects up to 20% of cancer patients, often with poor prognosis.
- Historically, pleurodesis was the primary treatment for MPE.
- MPE commonly arises from breast or lung primary cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature on malignant pleural effusion (MPE) treatment.
- To focus on patient-centered care and evolving management strategies for MPE.
- To explore updated treatment options for MPE.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review using PubMed.
- Focus on recent publications regarding MPE management.
- Analysis of patient-centered care approaches in MPE treatment.
Main Results:
- Shift towards outpatient management and symptom control for MPE.
- Introduction of new treatments like indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) and local anesthetic thoracoscopy (LAT).
- Management strategies for complex MPE, including non-expansile lungs and septated effusions, utilizing fibrinolytics and IPC.
Conclusions:
- Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) treatment has evolved significantly over 15 years.
- Current MPE management prioritizes outpatient care and symptom control.
- Individualized patient discussions are crucial for effective MPE treatment planning.
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