title: [Complications of malignant tumors--malignant pleural effusions].
abstract: Malignant pleural effusion is a complication of malignant diseases that has an appreciable negative impact on the patient's quality of life. In view of the greatly reduced life expectancy of between 3 and 12 months (median), diagnostic and therapeutic management must be orientated to the principles of palliation. Diagnostic measures comprise cytological/histological confirmation of the malignant effusion and, where necessary, of the underlying malignant disease and the extent of the intrathoracic tumor growth. In view of the tendency of malignant pleural effusion to relapse, pleurodesis is indicated, which is most effectively accomplished by video-assisted thoracoscopic talcum poudrage.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Thoraxchirurgie, Lungenklinik Heckeshorn, Zentralklinik Emil v. Behring, Berlin. s.eggeling@zevb.de
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eggeling
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kaiser
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D010994:Pleura / Q000473:pathology; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D018700:Pleurodesis; D011379:Prognosis; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
vernacular_title: Jetzt kann es nur noch um die Lebensqualität gehen. Entlastende Massnahmen beim malignen Pleuraerguss.