Malignant pleurisy associated with primary lung cancer well controlled by pleurodesis using distilled water.

The patient was an 84-year-old man patient diagnosed as malignant pleurisy associated with lung cancer. After drainage of the right pleural effusion, pleurodesis with distilled water was performed. Despite the enlargement of the primary lesion of the lung cancer during the follow-up period, the amount of pleural effusion did not increase for more than one year. No adverse effects associated with pleurodesis were noted. Pleurodesis with distilled water should be considered as one of the choices for treatment in the management of malignant pleurisy especially in elderly.