Pleural Effusion
Pleural effusion is an abnormal accumulation of fluid between the two layers of the pleural membrane surrounding the lungs. It occurs in approximately 90% of pleural mesothelioma cases and is often the first clinical sign of the disease. The fluid causes chest pressure, shortness of breath, and persistent cough.
In mesothelioma patients, pleural effusion develops because cancerous cells irritate the pleural lining, causing it to produce excess fluid. This fluid compresses the lung, reducing its ability to expand fully. Patients experience progressive shortness of breath, a dry cough, and a feeling of heaviness in the chest.
Pleural effusion is both a diagnostic clue and a treatable symptom. Doctors can drain the fluid through thoracentesis for immediate symptom relief and send the fluid for laboratory analysis to check for cancer cells. If fluid continues to reaccumulate, a pleurodesis procedure may be performed to prevent further buildup.
While pleural effusion has many causes (infection, heart failure, other cancers), its presence in a patient with a history of occupational asbestos exposure should prompt immediate evaluation for pleural mesothelioma. Early diagnosis significantly impacts treatment options and outcomes.
- Also known as
- Fluid on the lungs, Malignant pleural effusion
- Category
- Medical
- ICD-10 Code
J91.0- Related terms
- Pleural Mesothelioma, Thoracentesis, Pleurodesis, Pleural Thickening, Biopsy
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