title: Malignant pericardial effusion and pericardial tumor involvement secondary to cervical cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antemortem discovery of a malignant pericardial effusion secondary to cervical cancer is uncommon and management should focus on symptom control.
  
  
  METHODS
  A patient was diagnosed with widely metastatic cervical cancer following a simple hysterectomy for presumed benign etiology. Sixteen months later, she was diagnosed with pericardial tumor involvement and a malignant pericardial effusion resulting in severe dyspnea. The patient underwent a pericardial window procedure that temporarily alleviated her symptoms. She again developed symptoms 2 weeks following the procedure and ultimately elected supportive care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malignant pericardial effusion is a challenging clinical scenario. Although multiple treatment options exist, prognosis is poor and usually limited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ore
authors.forename: Beverly G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Leath
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D010491:Pericardial Window Techniques; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*