Treatment of the recurrent pleural exudate in malignant pleural mesothelioma - case report

Adrianna Drozdowska; Ewa Jassem; Krzysztof Kuziemski; Iwona Damps-Konstańska; Jan Marek Słomiński

Vol 4, No 3 (2005): Polish Palliative Medicine

Case reports

Published online: 2005-09-09

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Treatment of the recurrent pleural exudate in malignant pleural mesothelioma - case report

Adrianna Drozdowska, Ewa Jassem, Krzysztof Kuziemski, Iwona Damps-Konstańska, Jan Marek Słomiński

Advances in Palliative Medicine 2005;4(3):111-115.

Vol 4, No 3 (2005): Polish Palliative Medicine

Case reports

Published online: 2005-09-09

Abstract

Recurrent pleural effusion is one of the frequent manifestations of malignant mesothelioma and other malignancies with pleural involvement. The thoracocentesis and the evacuation of effusion improve patients quality of life, but this effect is transient. Standard therapy includes drainage of pleural cavity and chemical pleurodesis. Talc is considered the most effective and safe agent. In recurrent effusion, especially when the complete drainage is impossible, chronic indwelling pleural catheter or pleural-peritoneal shunt are used. Although decortication and pleurectomy are effective the co-morbitidity associated with these methods is frequent. Presented is the case of recurrent pleural effusion due to malignant mesothelioma requiring the administration of different treatment methods.