Massive pleural effusions from prostatic lymphangitic carcinomatosis: resolution with endocrine therapy

Abstract

Pleural effusions are a rare complication of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate and have not been noted to resolve with endocrine therapy. In a patient with massive bilateral pleural effusions as the initial manifestation of underlying prostatic cancer, lung biopsy specimens documented the presence of lymphangitic carcinomatosis and pleural biopsy tissue was normal. The effusions cleared on two occasions after diethylstilbestrol diproprionate therapy was started. We conclude that massive pleural effusions occasionally complicate prostatic lymphangitic carcinomatosis and that they may resolve with endocrine therapy.