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Review
. 2025 Jul;132(1):35-44.
doi: 10.1002/jso.28156. Epub 2025 May 20.

Malignant Pleural Effusion: Palliative Managements and Indication for Pleurodesis Based on Survival Scores

Erlon de Avila Carvalho  1   2 , Rachid Eduardo Noleto da Nobrega Oliveira  1   3 , José Henrique Agner Ribeiro  1 , Jefferson Luís Gross  1   4 , Cezar Augusto Vendas Galhardo  5 , Heládio Feitosa E Castro Neto  1   6 , Giovana Dos Santos  1 , Reitan Ribeiro  1   7 , Alexandre Ferreira Oliveira  1   8 , Rodrigo Nascimento Pinheiro  1   9
Affiliations
Review

Malignant Pleural Effusion: Palliative Managements and Indication for Pleurodesis Based on Survival Scores

Erlon de Avila Carvalho et al. J Surg Oncol. 2025 Jul.

Abstract

Neoplastic pleural effusion is one in which malignant neoplastic cells are detected in the pleural fluid or in the parietal pleura. When secondary, it confirms disseminated neoplastic disease and suggests a reduced life expectancy and low quality of life. This review was described by a group of physician members of the Brazilian Society of Oncological Surgery regarding the treatment of neoplastic pleural effusion, developed to guide surgeons, palliative care physicians and clinical oncologists in their clinical practice to assess patients indicated for pleurodesis based on survival scores.

Keywords: guidelines; malignant pleural effusion; palliative care; pleurodesis; survival scores; thoracic surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart for the use of survival scores and indication for pleurodesis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Approaches for the indication of pharmacological treatment of NPD. Source: Adapted from Beyea et al. [69].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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