Interventional therapies for malignant pleural effusions: The present and the future

On the management of malignant pleural effusions.

Management of malignant pleural effusions

Malignant pleural effusions (MPE) are a common occurrence in many advanced malignancies. They are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality; symptoms can be debilitating to patients and impair quality of life, especially as many of these patients are already functionally impaired by their underlying cancer and medical treatment. MPE generally represent advanced stage malignancy and the pri...

Management of malignant pleural effusions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are one of the most common problems faced by clinicians and, since there is no optimum treatment available, they deserve efforts aimed to improve their management. RECENT FINDINGS We have reviewed the most recent articles regarding treatment of MPE, with special emphasis on pleurodesis and indwelling pleural catheter placement. Although iod...

Management of malignant pleural effusions.

Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) represent a common complication of advanced malignancies. However, adequate palliation of this highly symptomatic accompaniment to cancer can be achieved in most patients by adopting the appropriate therapy. Several options are available for the treatment of MPE. Systemic therapy may control the effusion in patients whose underlying malignancy is sensitive to ...

Management of malignant pleural effusions.

Malignant pleural effusions are a common clinical problem in patients with primary thoracic malignancy and metastatic malignancy to the thorax. Symptoms can be debilitating and can impair tolerance of anticancer therapy. This article presents a comprehensive review of pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical approaches to the management of malignant pleural effusion, and a novel algorithm for manag...