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Docetaxel-Induced Serositis Mimicking Malignant Pleural Effusion
Muhammad Anees1, Kevin Chiu2, Stephen Goertzen3
1Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston Texas USA.
Clinical Case Reports
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Drug-induced serositis is a rare cause of pleural effusions in cancer patients. This case highlights docetaxel-induced serositis, emphasizing the need to consider non-malignant causes when effusions appear during cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Pleural effusions are common in cancer patients, often indicating disease progression.
- Malignant effusions are typically exudative with positive cytology.
- Drug-induced effusions are rare but important differential diagnoses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of docetaxel-induced serositis.
- To highlight the importance of considering drug-induced causes of pleural effusions in cancer patients.
- To emphasize multidisciplinary evaluation for unexplained effusions.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 50-year-old woman with ovarian granulosa cell tumor.
- Treatment with docetaxel and bevacizumab.
- Diagnostic workup including imaging, pleural fluid analysis, and pleuroscopy.
Main Results:
- Patient developed bilateral pleural and pericardial effusions after docetaxel/bevacizumab.
- Imaging showed no thoracic metastases; pleural fluid was exudative with negative cytology and cultures.
- Biopsies revealed reactive mesothelial hyperplasia, not malignancy.
- Effusions resolved after docetaxel discontinuation.
Conclusions:
- The case supports docetaxel-induced serositis as the etiology.
- Non-malignant causes, like drug-induced serositis, must be considered in cancer patients with new effusions.
- Early consideration and multidisciplinary evaluation are crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
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