Transudates in Malignancy: Still a Role for Pleural Fluid
Saturday, November 8th, 2008.
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. 2008 Sep;37(9):760-3. [Link]
Gonlugur TE, Gonlugur U.
Canakkale State Hospital, Department of Chest Diseases, Canakkale, Turkey. tefeoglu@gmail.com
Abstract
Introduction: The aims of this study were to determine the distribution of transudates and exudates among pathologically proven malignant pleural effusions, and to demonstrate the
necessity for cytologic studies in patients with a transudative effusion.
Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective review of all subjects diagnosed with malignant or paramalignant pleural effusion over a 10-year period at a tertiary hospital. The study included 67 subjects with malignant mesothelioma, 45 subjects with metastatic disease, and 36 subjects with paramalignant effusions.
Results: There were 55 female and 93 male subjects; the mean age of the sample was 62 years. Malignant pleural effusions were transudative in 1.5% of malignant mesotheliomas, 6.8% of metastatic diseases, and 11.1% of paramalignant effusions.
Conclusions: Cytological examination of pleural fluid in patients with unexplained transudative effusion is essential to rule out malignant processes.
Keywords: Biochemical criteria, Pleural malignancy, Pleural neoplasms
Glossary
- epidemiology
- (ep-uh-deem-ee-AHL-uh-gee) the study of diseases in populations by collecting and analyzing statistical data. In the field of cancer, epidemiologists look at how many people have cancer; who gets specific types of cancer; and what factors (such as environment, job hazards, family patterns, and personal habits, such as smoking and diet) play a part in the development of cancer.
- cancer
- malignancy; a group of diseases typified by abnormal, generally out-of-control, cell growth.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
- pleural effusion
- an abnormal accumulation of fluid, usually caused by trauma or disease, in the pleural space.
