[Management of Malignant Pleural Effusion].

Abstract

Malignant pleural effusion is a common diagnosis in metastasized cancers. It is always of palliative character. Main symptoms are dyspnoea and reduced quality of life. Diagnosis is made by ultrasound-guided puncture of the pleural effusion (cytology) and often video-assisted thoracic surgery with biopsy of the pleural surface (histology). The goal of treatment is a fast, sustainable, minimally invasive, patient-centred therapy that increases quality of life. Besides systemic therapy and best supportive care the patient can be treated with local therapy including either pleurodesis (via drainage or VATS) or an indwelling-pleural catheter (IPC). Decision for one of these procedures is made upon performance index (ECOG), expandability of the lung, prognosis and the patient's wish. For the first technique, the lung must be expandable. The latter one (IPC) can be implanted both with expandable and trapped lung. Both are similarly effective in symptom control.