Pleural diseases related to metastatic malignancies

Abstract

Pleural effusions associated with malignancy (either malignant or paramalignant) pose diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas for the clinician. This article reviews the common causes of malignant and paramalignant pleural effusions, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, chest radiography, pleural fluid characteristics, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Talc, used either by poudrage or slurry, is the most effective agent used for pleurodesis. Talc, which needs to be sterilized, has no clinically important immediate, short-term or long-term adverse effects.