Management of Malignant Pleural Effusion—A Case-Based Tailored Approach

Introduction: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is challenging to manage as its presentation heralds advanced cancer, poor prognosis with an expected median survival of 4 to 9 months. Its management of MPE remains without significant changes with the goal of palliation and symptoms relief.

Method(s): MPE management requires a multidisciplinary approach to select the appropriate personalized treatment. Most patients with MPE and most patients require local effusion control in the form of drainage and pleurodesis except in highly chemosensitive and potentially treatable malignancies where local therapy is reserved for failure.

Result(s): This educational poster will discuss and illustrate the rationale for determining the optimal therapeutic approach in the different clinical scenarios of MPE.

Conclusion(s): Patients with MPE can be better served by individualizing the cases based on identifying their clinical conditions and courses through multidisciplinary approach to facilitate personalized management.

Publication History

Article published online:
09 February 2023