Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Malignancy metastatic to the pleura

S A Sahn1

  • 1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.

Clinics in Chest Medicine
|July 1, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Malignant pleural effusions, often caused by lung cancer in the elderly, present with symptoms like dyspnea. Low pleural fluid pH and glucose indicate poor prognosis but may improve diagnostic yield.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Can tuberculous pleural effusions be diagnosed by pleural fluid analysis alone?

The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease·2013
Same author

Malignant pleural effusions.

Seminars in respiratory and critical care medicine·2005
Same author

Trapped lung.

Seminars in respiratory and critical care medicine·2005
Same author

Management of malignant pleural effusions.

Monaldi archives for chest disease = Archivio Monaldi per le malattie del torace·2002
Same author

Is the pleural fluid transudate or exudate? A revisit of the diagnostic criteria.

Thorax·2001
Same author

Management of malignant pleural effusions.

The European respiratory journal·2001

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pulmonology
  • Thoracic Medicine

Background:

  • Malignancy is a leading cause of exudative pleural effusions, particularly in older adults.
  • Lung cancer is the most frequent cause, often spreading to the pleura.
  • Common cancers include lung, breast, ovary, gastric, and lymphomas, accounting for 80% of cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the etiology, presentation, and management of malignant pleural effusions.
  • To highlight prognostic indicators and treatment options for malignant effusions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on malignant pleural effusions.
  • Analysis of common diagnostic findings and treatment modalities.

Main Results:

  • Dyspnea and cough are the most common presenting symptoms.
  • Low pleural fluid pH (<7.30) and glucose (<60 mg/dL) are associated with decreased survival and poor response to pleurodesis.
  • Talc pleurodesis (poudrage or slurry) is highly effective.
  • Pleural peritoneal shunts offer an alternative for refractory cases.

Conclusions:

  • Malignant pleural effusions require prompt diagnosis and management.
  • Prognostic factors like low pleural fluid pH and glucose should guide treatment decisions.
  • Talc pleurodesis and pleural peritoneal shunts are effective management strategies.

Related Experiment Videos