AI Snips
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Common Malignancies
- Lung cancer is the most common cause of malignant pleural effusions in men, while breast cancer is the most common in women.
- Malignant pleural effusions indicate advanced cancer, resulting in a poor prognosis with a survival range of 3-12 months.
Malignant Pleural Effusion Risk Factors
- Consider a patient's smoking history, family history of lung cancer, and less common exposures like asbestos or radon.
- Assess for recent infectious symptoms, liver, kidney, or heart disease.
Malignant vs. Paramelignant Effusions
- Malignant effusions involve cancer cells invading the pleural membrane, confirmed by the presence of malignant cells in pleural fluid or tissue.
- Paramelignant effusions result from indirect effects of cancer, such as bronchial obstruction or lymph node infiltration, without direct pleural invasion.