Pleural malignant effusion

Pleural malignant effusion, commonly termed malignant pleural effusion, is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity directly caused by the presence of neoplastic cells This condition primarily affects patients with advanced thoracic or extrathoracic malignancies, arising most frequently from secondary metastatic disease—particularly lung and breast cancers—or less commonly from primary pleural tumors such as malignant mesothelioma Pathophysiologically, tumor infiltration of the pa...

Pleural malignant effusion, commonly termed malignant pleural effusion, is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity directly caused by the presence of neoplastic cells Clinically, it presents as an exudative effusion that causes progressive dyspnea, cough, and chest discomfort, and its diagnosis is confirmed by identifying malignant cells within pleural fluid cytology or pleural biopsy tissue

This condition primarily affects patients with advanced thoracic or extrathoracic malignancies, arising most frequently from secondary metastatic disease—particularly lung and breast cancers—or less commonly from primary pleural tumors such as malignant mesothelioma

This condition primarily affects patients with advanced thoracic or extrathoracic malignancies, arising most frequently from secondary metastatic disease—particularly lung and breast cancers—or less commonly from primary pleural tumors such as malignant mesothelioma

Pathophysiologically, tumor infiltration of the parietal or visceral pleura disrupts normal fluid homeostasis by triggering hyperpermeability of local microvessels, inciting inflammation, and obstructing lymphatic drainage Clinically, it presents as an exudative effusion that causes progressive dyspnea, cough, and chest discomfort, and its diagnosis is confirmed by identifying malignant cells within pleural fluid cytology or pleural biopsy tissue

Clinically, it presents as an exudative effusion that causes progressive dyspnea, cough, and chest discomfort, and its diagnosis is confirmed by identifying malignant cells within pleural fluid cytology or pleural biopsy tissue