[Malignant or nonmalignant pericarditis]

Pericardial effusion can occur as the first manifestation of disseminated cancer, as was demonstrated in the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with respiratory insufficiency. In contrast, in three breast cancer patients aged 44, 55 and 53 pericardial effusion was shown to have a non-malignant cause, such as radiation or chemotherapy. Careful diagnostic procedures, including pericardiocentesis, should be performed to adjust the treatment to the underlying cause and to optimize the prognosis. It should be kept in mind that pericarditis in about half the patients suffering from a malignancy has a non-malignant cause.