악성흉수의 진단과 치료

• Published in: The Korean journal of medicine Vol. 81; no. 2; pp. 167 - 173
• Main Authors: 남해성, Hae Seong Nam, 류정선, Jeong Seon Ryu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 대한내과학회 01.08.2011
• Subjects: Diagnosis; Malignancy; Pleural effusion; Treatment; 내과학; 악성종양; 진단; 치료; 흉수
• ISSN: 1738-9364; 2289-0769

Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are an important clinical problem in patients with neoplastic disease. They can occur as the initial presentation of cancer, a delayed complication in patients with previously diagnosed malignancies, or the first manifestation of cancer recurrence after therapy. Common cancer types causing MPEs include lymphomas, mesotheliomas, and carcinomas of the breast, lung, and ovaries. However, almost all tumor types have been reported to cause MPEs. Regardless of the etiology, the median survival from clinical recognition is 4 months. New imaging modalities assist the evaluation of patients with a suspected MPE. However cytologic or tissue confirmation of malignant cells is necessary to establish a diagnosis. Management of an MPE remains palliative. Managements are directed toward removing pleural fluids and when appropriate, performing pleurodesis or initiating long-term drainage to prevent fluid reaccumulation. Talc pleurodesis is still the choice of treatment although concerns about its safety remain. Several factors such as performance status, expected survival, lung re-expansion following pleural fluid drainage and co-morbidities should be considered before the treatment. (Korean J Med 2011;81:167-173)