For malignant pleural effusion, which treatment option is used to achieve palliation and prevent fluid re-accumulation?

For malignant pleural effusion, which treatment option is used to achieve palliation and prevent fluid re-accumulation?

• A. VATS Pleurodesis or Indwelling Pleural Catheter
• B. Antituberculous Therapy
• C. Chemotherapy Alone
• D. Supplemental Oxygen Only

Answer: (A)

In malignant pleural effusion, the goal is to relieve symptoms and stop the fluid from coming back. The most effective way to do this is to either obliterate the pleural space or provide a safe way to drain it long-term. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery–based pleurodesis uses talc or other agents to fuse the visceral and parietal pleura, removing the space where fluid can accumulate. This prevents re-accumulation and often provides durable relief from dyspnea. Another option is an indwelling pleural catheter, which allows continuous or on-demand drainage at home, offering sustained palliation and reducing hospital stays. These approaches target the underlying issue of recurrent fluid, unlike antituberculous therapy (which is for TB), chemotherapy alone (which may shrink tumors but doesn’t reliably prevent effusion recurrence), or supplemental oxygen (which addresses symptoms rather than preventing re-accumulation).

In malignant pleural effusion, the goal is to relieve symptoms and stop the fluid from coming back. The most effective way to do this is to either obliterate the pleural space or provide a safe way to drain it long-term. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery–based pleurodesis uses talc or other agents to fuse the visceral and parietal pleura, removing the space where fluid can accumulate. This prevents re-accumulation and often provides durable relief from dyspnea. Another option is an indwelling pleural catheter, which allows continuous or on-demand drainage at home, offering sustained palliation and reducing hospital stays.

These approaches target the underlying issue of recurrent fluid, unlike antituberculous therapy (which is for TB), chemotherapy alone (which may shrink tumors but doesn’t reliably prevent effusion recurrence), or supplemental oxygen (which addresses symptoms rather than preventing re-accumulation).