The pattern of metastatic disease in patients with pleural effusions secondary to breast cancer.
The pattern of pleural metastases in women with effusions secondary to breast cancer was evaluated by thoracoscopy in a series of 46 patients with previously untreated effusions. Metastases involving the visceral pleural were seen in 59 per cent of patients whereas parietal deposits were found in only 15 per cent. No tumour deposits were seen in 26 per cent of cases. No patients had both visceral and parietal tumour secondaries. Patients within each of these groups showed differences in rates of positive effusion cytology, chest wall recurrence and previous evidence of recurrent breast cancer.
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010996:Pleural Effusion; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D011446:Prospective Studies