Malignant Pleural Effusion Evaluation and Management

Malignant pleural effusion represents advanced disease. Management is determined by the patient's performance status, symptoms and degree of lung re expansion after pleural fluid drainage. The goal of management is control of patient symptoms, with minimum morbidity and maximum patient independence. Pleural fluid evacuation and long term palliation can be achieved by either chemical pleurodesis or patient controlled drainage with a tunneled pleural catheter. Thoughtful patient evaluation is critical to choosing the appropriate palliative option for each individual with malignant pleural effusion.