Epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube and peritoneal cancer (EOC) is the seventh most common cancer diagnosis among women worldwide and shows the highest mortality rate of all gynecologic tumors. Different histological and anatomic spread patterns as well as multiple gene-expression based studies have demonstrated that EOC is indeed a heterogeneous disease. The prognostic factors that best predict the survival in this disease include: age, performance status and patient's comorbidities at the time of diagnosis; tumor biology, histological type, amount of residual tumor after surgery and finally tumor stage as surrogate for pre-operative tumor burden and growth pattern. In the majority of patients, the disease is diagnosed in advanced stage, disseminated intra- and/or extra-abdominally. It is unclear whether this is a consequence of distinct tumor biology, absence of anatomic barriers between ovary and the abdominal cavity, delay of diagnosis and/or the lack of sufficient early detection methods. FIGO stage IV disease, defined as tumor spread outside the abdominal cavity (including malignant pleural effusion) and/or visceral metastases, will be present in 12-33% of the patients at initial diagnosis. Overall, median survival for patients with stage IV disease ranges from 15 to 29months, with an estimated 5-year survival of approximately 20%. Unfortunately, over the past decades the overall survival gain compared to stage III remains disappointing. The current review aims to summarize the current data published in the international literature concerning FIGO stage IV EOC and discusses the published evidence for the clinical management of these patients.Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The prevalence, clinical characteristics and prognosis of pleural effusions (PEs) associated with ovarian cancer (OC) have seldom been addressed systematically, as in the current investigation.All records of consecutive women with a newly diagnosed OC in our institution over a 13-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Features of PEs on CT scans, pleural fluid analyses, need for definitive therapy of PEs, and the influence of PEs on the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated.PEs were observed in 81 (43%) of 189 women with OC, either at presentation of cancer (55 patients) or during the course of the disease (26 patients). The causes of PEs were malignancy (55.5%), unknown (37%), or surgery-related (7.4%). The sensitivity of the cytologic diagnosis of malignant PEs was 79.1%. Sixty percent of malignant PEs required pleurodesis or indwelling pleural catheters for symptomatic relief. The presence of ascites strongly predicted PE development (odds ratio 43.2). Women with PEs fared much worse compared with those without PEs, in terms of OS (26.7 vs. 90.4 months), PFS (9.8 vs. 55.3 months) and tumor recurrences (86.4 vs. 43%). In multivariate analyses, PE remained as a relevant independent variable associated with poor outcome (hazard ratio 9.73 for OS, and 3.87 for PFS). Notably, PEs small enough to preclude tapping, and thus of unknown origin, had a similar bad prognosis as malignant PEs.OC patients with PEs experience decreased survival, including those with trace effusions not amenable to tapping.© 2021 José M. Porcel et al., published by De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston.

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of malignant pleural effusions on survival in patients with optimally debulked, advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma.The authors conducted a retrospective review of all patients with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma who underwent optimal primary cytoreduction at their institution between January 1987 and August 2000. Survival rates were compared between patients with optimally debulked Stage IIIC epithelial ovarian carcinoma and patients with optimally debulked Stage IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma (according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] staging system) based on cytology-proven malignant pleural effusions.Ninety-nine patients were identified, and 97 of those patients were evaluable. The group with Stage IIIC disease included 76 patients, and the group with Stage IV disease included 21 patients. The median age at diagnosis was 55 years (range, 26-88 years). The majority of patients received platinum-based chemotherapy after undergoing optimal primary cytoreduction. Age, tumor grade and histology, and the percentage of patients with ascites were similar in the two groups. The median survival rate was 58 months for patients who had Stage IIIC disease and 30 months for patients who had Stage IV disease (P = 0.016).Although both groups underwent optimal cytoreduction in the abdomen/pelvis and were treated in a similar fashion, the median survival rate of patients with malignant pleural effusions was significantly shorter than the survival of patients without effusions. Many factors that led to or were manifested by pleural effusions, such as undetected bulky residual intrathoracic disease, may have been the cause for this survival difference. In the patients with effusions, one or more of these contributing factors may have led to the observed decreased survival rate, warranting further investigation.Copyright 2005 American Cancer Society.

The lung and heart, the vital organs, have to be protected and also have to move and change volume continuously to function. For the best protection and function of the lung, the thorax is shaped almost like a bellows with the diaphragm as the moving part. Furthermore, the outer surface of the lung and the inner surface of the protective thoracic cage are covered by an elastic, serous, and lubricating membrane to form the pleural cavity. This is almost like inserting a sealed-wet and stretchable-plastic bag between the lung and the thoracic wall and diaphragm to decrease friction. The lubrication is accomplished by the facing mesothelial cells that have bushy-surface microvilli enmeshing hyaluronic acid-rich glycoproteins. The amount of fluid in the pleural cavity is regulated by the hydrostatic-osmotic pressure relationship and pleuro-lymphatic drainage. Excess fluid, large particles, and cells in the pleural cavity are removed through preformed stomas assisted by respiratory movements. The stoma is found only in the anterior lower thoracic wall and diaphragm and is like the drain of a sink. Finally, clinical and subclinical injuries of the pleura appear to occur often. Reactive mesothelial cells constantly repair the damages and keep the pleural cavity open. Without mesothelial cells, the lung cannot function properly and the pleural cavity will be quickly obliterated by fibrosis.

The pleural space contains a tiny amount (approximately 0.3 mL.kg-1) of hypooncotic fluid (approximately 1 g.dL-1 protein). Pleural fluid turnover is estimated to be approximately 0.15 mL.kg-1.h-1. Pleural fluid is produced at parietal pleural level, mainly in the less dependent regions of the cavity. Reabsorption is accomplished by parietal pleural lymphatics in the most dependent part of the cavity, on the diaphragmatic surface and in the mediastinal regions. The flow rate in pleural lymphatics can increase in response to an increase in pleural fluid filtration, acting as a negative feedback mechanism to control pleural liquid volume. Such control is very efficient, as a 10 fold increase in filtration rate would only result in a 15% increase in pleural liquid volume. When filtration exceeds maximum pleural lymphatic flow, pleural effusion occurs: as an estimate, in man, maximum pleural lymph flow could attain 30 mL.h-1, equivalent to approximately 700 mL.day-1 (approximately 40% of overall lymph flow). Under physiological conditions, the lung interstitium and the pleural space behave as functionally independent compartments, due to the low water and solute permeability of the visceral pleura. Pleural fluid circulates in the pleural cavity and intrapleural fluid dynamics may be represented by a porous flow model. Lubrication between lung and chest wall is assured by oligolamellar surfactant molecules stratified on mesothelial cells of the opposing pleurae. These molecules carry a charge of similar sign and, therefore, repulse each other, assuring a graphite-like lubrication.

This Guideline, a collaborative effort from the American Thoracic Society, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and Society of Thoracic Radiology, aims to provide evidence-based recommendations to guide contemporary management of patients with a malignant pleural effusion (MPE).

The pleural cavity constitutes the most frequent extra-abdominal metastatic site in ovarian carcinoma (OC). In patients with OC and pleural effusions, a positive fluid cytology is required for a stage IV diagnosis. Unfortunately, about 30% of malignant pleural effusions exhibit false-negative cytological pleural fluid results. In those circumstances, exploratory video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) serves as a diagnostic, staging and even therapeutic modality. Maximal (no visible disease) or, at least, optimal (no residual implant greater than 1 cm) cytoreduction should be the primary surgical goal in stage IV OC patients. This is due to residual tumour after cytoreductive surgery being one of the most important factors impacting on survival. Although malignant pleural effusions do not preclude abdominal surgical debulking, excision of gross pleural nodules may be necessary to achieve optimal cytoreduction. VATS quantifies pleural tumour burden and allows for intrathoracic cytoreduction or, if the latter is not feasible, ensures that abdominal surgery is not unnecessarily performed on women in whom gross tumour would still remain in the pleural space afterwards. Taxane-platinum neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be offered to this group. Patients with tumour extension into the pleural space have a median overall survival of 2 years.© 2012 The Authors. Respirology © 2012 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.

The influence of pleural effusion (PE) on survival outcomes in ovarian cancer has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study aimed to analyze the effect of pre-treatment PE on prognosis.A total of 117 patients with stage III and IV epithelial ovarian cancer having pre-treatment PE were included in the study. Malignant PE was determined with CT or PET/CT or biopsy.Thirty patients (27.0%) had PE and 81 (73.0%) had no PE (NPE). For first-line chemotherapy, the delivered dose intensity was significantly higher in PE. In both groups, 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) did not present statistical significant differences. The 7-year PFS of PE was significantly shorter unlike the OS.Within 5 years, pre-treatment PE did not have a significant impact on OS nor PFS for patients with a higher dose of first-line chemotherapy. Within 7 years, better management strategies are needed as PE can have a negative impact on PFS.Copyright © 2022 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) poses a significant clinical problem. Current nonetiologic management is suboptimal in terms of efficacy and safety. In light of recent research progress, we propose herein a new view of MPE development, which may rapidly translate into meaningful changes in therapeutics. In addition to tumor-induced impairment of pleural fluid drainage, pertinent findings point toward another pathway to MPE formation: a vicious loop of interactions between pleural-based tumor cells and the host vasculature and immune system that results in increased net fluid production via enhanced plasma extravasation into the pleural space. The ability of tumor cells to trigger this cascade likely rests on a specific and distinct transcriptional repertoire, which results in important vasoactive events in the pleural space. Although the characterization of tumor-derived factors responsible for MPE development is in the making, an additional, indirect path to MPE was recently demonstrated: tumor cells recruit and co-opt host cells and mediators, which, in turn, amplify tumor cell–primed fluid leakage and impact tumor cell functions. Importantly, recent evidence suggests that the biologic events that culminate in clinical MPE are likely amenable to therapeutic inhibition and even prevention. In this perspective, the scientific basis for an update of current concepts of MPE formation is highlighted. Key questions for future research are posed. Finally, a vision for novel, effective, safe, and convenient treatment modalities that can be offered to outpatients with MPE is set forth.

Patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) or pleural metastases often present with malignant pleural effusion (MPE). This study aimed to analyze the effect of pleural fluid on cancer cells.

Please cite this paper as: Fleury A, Kushnir C, Giuntoli R, Spirtos N. Upper abdominal cytoreduction and thoracoscopy for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: unanswered questions and the impact on treatment. BJOG 2012;119:202–206.

Malignant pleural effusions (MPE) may either coincide with or follow the diagnosis of a primary tumor. Whether this circumstance influences prognosis has not been well substantiated.Retrospective review of all consecutive patients who were cared for at a Spanish university hospital during an 11-year period and received a diagnosis of MPE.Of 401 patients, the MPE was the first evidence of cancer in 265 (66%), and it followed a previously diagnosed neoplasm in 136 (34%). Lung cancer predominated in the former group (131, 50%), and breast cancer in the latter (55, 40%). MPE that were the presenting manifestation of hematological and ovarian tumors had a statistically significant survival advantage as compared to those which developed in patients from a previously known cancer (respective absolute differences of 41 and 20 months; p < 0.005).In hematological and ovarian malignancies, the synchronous or metachronous diagnosis of MPE may have prognostic implications.

The vast majority of undiagnosed unilateral pleural effusions have fluid sent for cytological analysis. Despite widespread use, there is uncertainty about its sensitivity to diagnose malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). Our aim was to ascertain the utility of cytology using a large prospective cohort.

Our paper evaluates the relationship between radiologically abnormal cardiophrenic lymph nodes (CPLN) in advanced ovarian cancer and pattern of disease distribution, tumour burden, surgical complexity, rates of cytoreduction and same-site recurrence. Impact of suspicious CPLN and CPLN dissection on overall survival also determined.Retrospective review of index CT imaging for 151 consecutive patients treated for stage III/IV ovarian malignancy in a large UK cancer centre to identify radiologically abnormal CPLN. Corresponding surgical, histo-pathological and survival data analysed.42.6% of patients had radiologically 'positive' CPLN on index CT. Radiological identification of CPLN involvement demonstrated a sensitivity of 82% within our centre. Patients with cardiophrenic lymphadenopathy on pre-operative CT had significantly more co-existing ascites (p = 0.003), omental (p = 0.01) and diaphragmatic disease (p < 0.0001). At primary debulking (PDS), suspicious CPLN were associated with significantly higher surgical complexity scores, without feasibility of complete cytoreduction being impacted. Cardiophrenic involvement at initial diagnosis was associated with same-site relapse at recurrence (p = 0.001). No significant difference in overall survival was demonstrated according to CPLN status following either PDS or delayed debulking (DDS). CPLN dissection did not improve patient outcomes.Radiological identification of abnormal CPLN is reliable. Suspicious CPLN appear to represent a surrogate marker of tumour volume - in particular, heralding upper abdominal disease - and should prompt anticipation of high complexity surgery and referral to an appropriate centre. Patients with prior CPLN involvement are more likely to develop same-site recurrence at relapse. Our survival data suggests cardiophrenic LN disease does not worsen patient prognosis and that the therapeutic benefit of CPLN dissection remains unclear.Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd, BASO ~ The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common clinical problem with described investigation pathways. While thoracic ultrasound (TUS) has been shown to be accurate in pleural fluid detection, its use in the diagnosis of malignant pleural disease has not been assessed. A study was undertaken to assess the diagnostic accuracy of TUS in differentiating malignant and benign pleural disease.52 consecutive patients with suspected MPE underwent TUS and contrast-enhanced CT (CECT). TUS was used to assess pleural surfaces using previously published CT imaging criteria for malignancy, diaphragmatic thickness/nodularity, effusion size/nature and presence of hepatic metastasis (in right-sided effusions). A TUS diagnosis of malignant or benign disease was made blind to clinical data/other investigations by a second blinded operator using anonymised TUS video clips. The TUS diagnosis was compared with the definitive clinical diagnosis and in addition to the diagnosis found at CECT.A definitive malignant diagnosis was based on histocytology (30/33; 91%) and clinical/CT follow-up (3/33; 9%). Benign diagnoses were based on negative histocytology and follow-up over 12 months in 19/19 patients. TUS correctly diagnosed malignancy in 26/33 patients (sensitivity 73%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 79%) and benign disease in 19/19. Pleural thickening >1 cm, pleural nodularity and diaphragmatic thickening >7 mm were highly suggestive of malignant disease.TUS is useful in differentiating malignant from benign pleural disease in patients presenting with suspected MPE and may become an important adjunct in the diagnostic pathway.

Talc pleurodesis is widely performed for the management of persistent pneumothorax or pleural effusion, particularly malignant effusions. However, there are very few data characterizing fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) and CT findings after treatment.We retrospectively evaluated the FDG-PET and CT studies of nine patients who underwent talc pleurodesis for the treatment of malignant pleural effusions or persistent air leak.FDG-PET studies were performed on average 22 months after talc pleurodesis, and the mean CT follow-up period was 25 months. There was moderate-to-intense plaque-like or focal nodular-increased FDG uptake in the pleura on PET with mean standardized uptake value of 5.4 (SEM, 1.2; range, 2.0 to 16.3). The FDG uptake was either diffuse (two patients) or focal (seven patients), and most commonly occurred in the posterior costophrenic angles (five patients), followed by the apical regions (three patients), anterior costophrenic angle (one patient), and the anterior chest wall (one patient). On CT, high-density areas of pleural thickening or nodularity (mean, 230 Hounsfield units [HU]; SEM, 23 HU; range, 140 to 380 HU) corresponded to regions of increased FDG uptake. These pleural foci had an average thickness of 1.2 cm and measured up to 8.2 cm (mean, 7.1 cm) in length. Rounded pleural nodules were as large as 3.1 cm (mean, 1.5 cm).Talc pleurodesis produces increased FDG uptake on PET and high-density areas of pleural thickening on CT that remain unchanged on serial imaging. When PET detects increased uptake in the pleural space, correlation with CT is recommended to detect the presence of pleural thickening of increased attenuation that suggests talc deposits rather than tumor.

To assess the utility of the cell block preparation method in increasing the sensitivity of cytodiagnosis of serous fluids and to know the primary site of malignant effusions.A total of 190 cases were subjected to routine smear examination as well as cell block preparation. After the cytological diagnosis, each case was objectively analysed for cellularity, arrangement (acini, papillae, cell balls, and proliferation spheres), cytoplasmic, and nuclear details.Out of 190 cases, 70 cases were found to be malignant and had been examined in smears and paraffin-embedded cell blocks. Using a combination of the cell block and smear techniques yielded 13% more malignant cases than what were detected using smears by themselves. The combined technique helped to ascertain the primary site of malignancy in 83.3% of the cases, whereas the primary site could not be ascertained in 17.7% of the cases.The cell block technique not only increased the positive results, but also helped to demonstrate better architectural patterns, which could be of great help in making correct diagnosis of the primary site. The cell block technique was also useful for special stains and immunohistochemistry and can give morphological details by preserving the architectural patterns.

Aspiration of serous cavities is a simple and relatively non-invasive technique to achieve diagnosis. Cytologic evaluation of body cavity fluid is diagnostically challenging.A total of 150 fluid specimens were examined for conventional cytological smear (CS) and cell block method (CB). Out of 150 fluids, 79 were pleural fluid, 69 were ascitic fluid and 2 pericardial fluid. Each fluid specimen was divided in two equal parts: one part was subjected to conventional smear technique, while the other part was subjected to 10% alcohol-acetic acid-formalin cell block technique. Overall morphological details, cellularity, architecture, nuclear and cytoplasmic details were studied in both CS and CB techniques.In this study, the utility of the CB method in the cytodiagnosis of malignant effusions was found to be highly significant as compared to the CS method. The additional yield of malignancy was 10% more as was obtained by the CB method.For the final cytodiagnosis of body fluid, there is statistically significant difference between the two techniques. In other words, CB is superior to CS method.

No consensus exists regarding minimum fluid volume for adequacy of benign pleural effusion specimens. Although any volume is acceptable if cytologic findings are malignant, the distinction between the absence of disease and false-negativity is not straightforward in low-volume specimens. Recent literature has offered conflicting results regarding what minimum volume is necessary. Moreover, no studies to date have evaluated this issue across a large series of specimens with a wide distribution of volumes. The objective of the current study was to determine the minimum volume of pleural fluid necessary for optimal cytopathological diagnosis.The authors identified 2540 pleural fluid specimens received between January 2000 and December 2009 and retrospectively reviewed their diagnoses and characteristics. Because of the large range of volumes (1 mL-6500 mL), the cases were binned into 9 groups of roughly equivalent sample sizes. The malignancy fractions (percentage of cases with malignant diagnoses) were compared for each group.The current study specimens had a median volume of 200 mL and an overall malignancy fraction of 20.1%. The malignancy fraction increased from 10.1% (95% confidence interval, 8.1%-12.1%) for volumes < 5 mL to 23.3% (95% confidence interval, 20.0%-25.8%) for volumes between 50 mL and 75 mL (P =.009). Specimens with volumes ≥ 75 mL had malignancy fractions independent of volume. In addition, ratios of benign or malignant diagnoses versus nondiagnostic and atypical results continued to increase with volume.A fluid volume of ≥ 75 mL is required to eliminate the influence of specimen size on diagnostic adequacy. Although larger volumes do not appear to impact malignancy fraction, they do correlate with decreased nondiagnostic and atypical results.© 2014 American Cancer Society.

Thoracentesis is one of the most common medical procedures performed today. With the advent of thoracic ultrasound, thoracentesis has been enhanced with additional preprocedural, intraprocedural, and postprocedural information. The authors review modern-day thoracentesis and the use of ultrasonography. Nearly 200,000 thoracenteses are performed among 1.5 million patients with pleural effusion each year. A solid foundation in didactic knowledge and procedural proficiency is important to avoid unwanted complications. Ultrasound has become an indispensable tool to guide performance of thoracentesis. Ultrasonography for this purpose has several advantages. The authors provide a contemporary review on thoracentesis and the use of ultrasonography.Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

We previously reported our initial experience of patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions who underwent video-assessed thoracic surgery (VATS) before planned abdominal exploration. The objective of this study was to report the surgical findings and management of patients who underwent VATS in an update of our experience.We performed a retrospective review of all patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions who underwent VATS for assessment of extent of intrathoracic disease at our institution between 6/01 and 8/05.Twenty-three patients with a median age of 61 years (range, 36-79) were identified. VATS was performed for right-sided effusions in 17 patients (74%), and a median of 1350 ml (400-3700 ml) of pleural fluid was drained. VATS demonstrated macroscopic disease in 15 (65%) patients, with nodules >1 cm in 11/15 (73%), and nodules <1 cm in 4/15 (27%). Macroscopic intrathoracic disease was found in 4/10 (40%) patients with negative cytology. Intrathoracic cytoreduction was performed in 3/11 patients (27%) with intrathoracic disease >1 cm. After VATS, 12/23 patients (52%) underwent primary surgical management, with cytoreduction to < or =1 cm achieved in 11/12 patients (92%). The other eleven patients received primary chemotherapy after undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy alone (4/11) or no further abdominal exploration (7/11). Nine of these patients proceeded to interval cytoreduction, while 2 had pathology demonstrating upper gastrointestinal and lymphoma primaries at the time of VATS. Final diagnosis of primary site of disease included: ovary, 14 (61%); endometrial, 2 (9%); dual ovarian/endometrial primaries, 1 (4%); fallopian tube, 1 (4%); primary peritoneal, 1 (4%); other, 4 (17%). Overall, findings at VATS altered primary surgical management in 11/23 (48%) patients.Sixty-five percent of patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions had gross intrathoracic disease identified at VATS, with the majority (11/15, 73%) having disease >1 cm in diameter. Use of VATS allows for assessment of intrathoracic disease and may help identify candidates for primary cytoreductive surgery and possible intrathoracic cytoreduction versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

To assess the utility of thoracoscopy in defining the extent of intrathoracic disease and survival outcomes in patients with moderate to large pleural effusions at the time of diagnosis of advanced ovarian carcinoma.We reviewed the records of all patients with untreated advanced ovarian carcinoma and moderate to large pleural effusions who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) our institution between 6/01 and 10/08. Demographic, clinicopathologic and outcome data were collected for all patients with a final diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma.Forty-two patients met eligibility criteria, with a median age of 58 years; median CA-125 level of 1747 U/mL; and medium serum albumin of 3.9 g/dl. VATS was performed for right-sided effusions in 30 patients (71%). Macroscopic pleural disease was found in 29 patients (69%). Of the 11 patients with negative cytology, macroscopic pleural disease was found in 4 (36%). Intrathoracic cytoreductive surgery was performed in 6 (33%) of the 18 patients with intrathoracic disease >1 cm. After VATS, 29/42 (69%) patients underwent attempted primary abdominal surgical debulking. Thirteen patients (31%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Twelve (92%) of these patients underwent interval cytoreductive surgery. Patients who were directed after VATS to neoadjuvant chemotherapy instead of primary surgical cytoreduction had a 2-year PFS rate of 22% compared to 42% for the primary cytoreductive group (P=0.36).Overall, management was altered based on VATS findings in 43% of cases. Further investigation is needed to define the prognostic significance of VATS evaluation of the burden of pleural disease.

We assessed the utility of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in defining extent of intrathoracic disease in advanced ovarian carcinoma with moderate-to-large pleural effusions.Beginning in 2001, VATS was performed on all patients with suspected advanced ovarian carcinoma and moderate-to-large pleural effusions, evaluating for macroscopic intrathoracic disease. The algorithm recommended primary debulking surgery (PDS) for ≤1 cm, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT)/interval debulking surgery (IDS) for >1 cm intrathoracic disease. We reviewed records of patients undergoing VATS from 10/01-01/19. Differences between treatment groups were tested using standard statistical techniques.One-hundred patients met eligibility criteria (median age, 60; median CA-125 level, 1158 U/mL; medium serum albumin, 3.8 g/dL). Macroscopic pleural disease was found in 70 (70%). After VATS, 50 (50%) underwent attempted PDS (PDS group), 50 (50%) received NACT (NACT/IDS group). Forty-seven (94%) underwent IDS. Median overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort (n = 100) was 44.5 months (95% CI: 37.8-51.7). The PDS group had significantly longer survival than the NACT/IDS group [45.8 (95% CI: 40.5-87.8) vs. 37.4 months (95% CI: 33.3-45.2); p = .016]. On multivariable analysis, macroscopic intrathoracic disease (HR 2.18, 95% CI: 1.14-4.18; p = .019) and age ≥ 65 (HR 1.98, 95% CI: 1.16-3.40; p = .013) were independently associated with elevated death risk. Patients with the best outcome had no macroscopic disease at VATS and underwent PDS (median OS, 87.8 months).VATS is useful in therapeutic decision-making for PDS vs. NACT/IDS in advanced ovarian cancer with moderate-to-large pleural effusions.Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A 21-year-old woman was addressed to our department for progressive abdominal swelling, fatigue and fever. The clinical examination, the ultrasound examination and the computed tomography showed the presence of polyserositis (ascites and pleural effusion) and revealed a cystic mass at the level of right ovary. The laboratory work-up showed an increased level of CA-125, suggesting a malignancy. The thoracoscopy with visualization of the pleura revealed disseminated small white spots. The laparoscopic exploration of the pelvis and of the peritoneum also showed the same disseminated lesions and a cystic-like mass at the level of the right ovary which was excised and diagnosed as a benign cyst. At the analysis of the frozen and paraffin sections, the diagnostic of pleural and peritoneal tuberculosis was made and the specific quadruple treatment was started with a good evolution at two months and with the normalization of the CA-125 level. This case report underlines the importance of tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of patients with polyserositis and increased levels of CA-125.

Meigs syndrome is characterized by the association of a benign ovarian tumor, typically an ovarian fibroma, with pleural effusion and ascites.

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) causes debilitating breathlessness and predicting survival is challenging. This study aimed to obtain contemporary data on survival by underlying tumour type in patients with MPE, identify prognostic indicators of overall survival and develop and validate a prognostic scoring system.Three large international cohorts of patients with MPE were used to calculate survival by cell type (univariable Cox model). The prognostic value of 14 predefined variables was evaluated in the most complete data set (multivariable Cox model). A clinical prognostic scoring system was then developed and validated.Based on the results of the international data and the multivariable survival analysis, the LENT prognostic score (pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score (PS), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and tumour type) was developed and subsequently validated using an independent data set. Risk stratifying patients into low-risk, moderate-risk and high-risk groups gave median (IQR) survivals of 319 days (228-549; n=43), 130 days (47-467; n=129) and 44 days (22-77; n=31), respectively. Only 65% (20/31) of patients with a high-risk LENT score survived 1 month from diagnosis and just 3% (1/31) survived 6 months. Analysis of the area under the receiver operating curve revealed the LENT score to be superior at predicting survival compared with ECOG PS at 1 month (0.77 vs 0.66, p<0.01), 3 months (0.84 vs 0.75, p<0.01) and 6 months (0.85 vs 0.76, p<0.01).The LENT scoring system is the first validated prognostic score in MPE, which predicts survival with significantly better accuracy than ECOG PS alone. This may aid clinical decision making in this diverse patient population.Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

To analyze the findings and impact on the management of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) before planned abdominal exploration in patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions.We reviewed the charts of all patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions who underwent VATS from 10/01 to 7/03. VATS was performed under double lumen endotracheal anesthesia. A 2-cm chest wall incision was made in the fifth intercostal space on the side of the effusion. The thoracoscope was introduced and biopsies of suspicious lesions were performed through the single incision. After VATS, all patients had a chest tube placed through the incision, and those with malignant effusions underwent talc pleurodesis either intraoperatively or postoperatively.Twelve patients underwent VATS during the study period. Median operative time for VATS was 31 min (range: 20-49 min) with no complications attributable to the procedure. The median amount of pleural fluid drained was 1000 ml (range: 500-2000 ml). Solid, pleural-based tumor was found in six cases (50%), with nodules >1 cm noted in four patients (33%) and nodules <1 cm noted in two patients (17%). Of the six cases with no grossly visible pleural tumor, the pleural fluid was positive for malignant cells in two patients (17%) and negative in four patients (33%). Further initial patient management included the following: laparotomy with optimal cytoreduction, 6 (50%); diagnostic laparoscopy, 3 (25%); and no abdominal exploration, 3 (25%). Final diagnosis of primary disease site was as follows: ovary, 9 (75%); fallopian tube, 1 (8%); endometrium, 1 (8%); and lymphoma, 1 (8%). Based on the findings during VATS, laparotomy and attempted cytoreduction were avoided in four patients (33%), and the cytoreductive procedure was modified in one patient (8%).Fifty percent of patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions who underwent VATS had solid pleural-based tumor identified, and in 33% of cases the tumor nodules were >1 cm in diameter. VATS should be considered in these cases to delineate the extent of disease, treat the effusion, and to potentially select patients for either intrathoracic cytoreduction or a neoadjuvant chemotherapy approach.

Malignant pleural effusion causes disabling dyspnea in patients with a short life expectancy. Palliation is achieved by fluid drainage, but the most effective first-line method has not been determined.To determine whether indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) are more effective than chest tube and talc slurry pleurodesis (talc) at relieving dyspnea.Unblinded randomized controlled trial (Second Therapeutic Intervention in Malignant Effusion Trial [TIME2]) comparing IPC and talc (1:1) for which 106 patients with malignant pleural effusion who had not previously undergone pleurodesis were recruited from 143 patients who were treated at 7 UK hospitals. Patients were screened from April 2007-February 2011 and were followed up for a year.Indwelling pleural catheters were inserted on an outpatient basis, followed by initial large volume drainage, education, and subsequent home drainage. The talc group were admitted for chest tube insertion and talc for slurry pleurodesis.Patients completed daily 100-mm line visual analog scale (VAS) of dyspnea over 42 days after undergoing the intervention (0 mm represents no dyspnea and 100 mm represents maximum dyspnea; 10 mm represents minimum clinically significant difference). Mean difference was analyzed using a mixed-effects linear regression model adjusted for minimization variables.Dyspnea improved in both groups, with no significant difference in the first 42 days with a mean VAS dyspnea score of 24.7 in the IPC group (95% CI, 19.3-30.1 mm) and 24.4 mm (95% CI, 19.4-29.4 mm) in the talc group, with a difference of 0.16 mm (95% CI, −6.82 to 7.15; P =.96). There was a statistically significant improvement in dyspnea in the IPC group at 6 months, with a mean difference in VAS score between the IPC group and the talc group of −14.0 mm (95% CI, −25.2 to −2.8 mm; P =.01). Length of initial hospitalization was significantly shorter in the IPC group with a median of 0 days (interquartile range [IQR], 0-1 day) and 4 days (IQR, 2-6 days) for the talc group, with a difference of −3.5 days (95% CI, −4.8 to −1.5 days; P <.001). There was no significant difference in quality of life. Twelve patients (22%) in the talc group required further pleural procedures compared with 3 (6%) in the IPC group (odds ratio [OR], 0.21; 95% CI, 0.04-0.86; P =.03). Twenty-one of the 52 patients in the catheter group experienced adverse events vs 7 of 54 in the talc group (OR, 4.70; 95% CI, 1.75-12.60; P =.002).Among patients with malignant pleural effusion and no previous pleurodesis, there was no significant difference between IPCs and talc pleurodesis at relieving patient-reported dyspnea.isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN87514420.

Patients with malignant pleural effusions have significant dyspnea and shortened life expectancy. Indwelling pleural catheters allow patients to drain pleural fluid at home and can lead to autopleurodesis. The optimal drainage frequency to achieve autopleurodesis and freedom from catheter has not been determined.

Indwelling pleural catheters are an established management option for malignant pleural effusion and have advantages over talc slurry pleurodesis. The optimal regimen of drainage after indwelling pleural catheter insertion is debated and ranges from aggressive (daily) drainage to drainage only when symptomatic.AMPLE-2 was an open-label randomised trial involving 11 centres in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Patients with symptomatic malignant pleural effusions were randomly assigned (1:1) to the aggressive (daily) or symptom-guided drainage groups for 60 days and minimised by cancer type (mesothelioma vs others), performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] score 0-1 vs ≥2), presence of trapped lung, and prior pleurodesis. Patients were followed up for 6 months. The primary outcome was mean daily breathlessness score, measured by use of a 100 mm visual analogue scale during the first 60 days. Secondary outcomes included rates of spontaneous pleurodesis and self-reported quality-of-life measures. Results were analysed by an intention-to-treat approach. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number ACTRN12615000963527.Between July 20, 2015, and Jan 26, 2017, 87 patients were recruited and randomly assigned to the aggressive (n=43) or symptom-guided (n=44) drainage groups. The mean daily breathlessness scores did not differ significantly between the aggressive and symptom-guided drainage groups (geometric means 13·1 mm [95% CI 9·8-17·4] vs 17·3 mm [13·0-22·0]; ratio of geometric means 1·32 [95% CI 0·88-1·97]; p=0·18). More patients in the aggressive group developed spontaneous pleurodesis than in the symptom-guided group in the first 60 days (16 [37·2%] of 43 vs five [11·4%] of 44, p=0·0049) and at 6 months (19 [44·2%] vs seven [15·9%], p=0·004; hazard ratio 3·287 [95% CI 1·396-7·740]; p=0·0065). Patient-reported quality-of-life measures, assessed with EuroQoL-5 Dimensions-5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L), were better in the aggressive group than in the symptom-guided group (estimated means 0·713 [95% CI 0·647-0·779] vs 0·601 [0·536-0·667]). The estimated difference in means was 0·112 (95% CI 0·0198-0·204; p=0·0174). Pain scores, total days spent in hospital, and mortality did not differ significantly between groups. Serious adverse events occurred in 11 (25·6%) of 43 patients in the aggressive drainage group and in 12 (27·3%) of 44 patients in the symptom-guided drainage group, including 11 episodes of pleural infection in nine patients (five in the aggressive group and six in the symptom-guided drainage group).We found no differences between the aggressive (daily) and the symptom-guided drainage regimens for indwelling pleural catheters in providing breathlessness control. These data indicate that daily indwelling pleural catheter drainage is more effective in promoting spontaneous pleurodesis and might improve quality of life.Cancer Council of Western Australia and the Sir Charles Gairdner Research Advisory Group.Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Malignant pleural effusions (MPE) are a common pathology, treated by respiratory physicians and thoracic surgeons alike. In recent years, several well-designed randomized clinical trials have been published that have changed the landscape of MPE management. The European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) established a multidisciplinary collaboration of clinicians with expertise in the management of MPE with the aim of producing a comprehensive review of the scientific literature. Six areas of interest were identified, including the optimum management of symptomatic MPE, management of trapped lung in MPE, management of loculated MPE, prognostic factors in MPE, whether there is a role for oncological therapies prior to intervention for MPE and whether a histological diagnosis is always required in MPE. The literature revealed that talc pleurodesis and indwelling pleural catheters effectively manage the symptoms of MPE. There was limited evidence regarding the management of trapped lung or loculated MPE. The LENT score was identified as a validated tool for predicting survival in MPE, with Brims' prognostic score demonstrating utility in mesothelioma prognostication. There was no evidence to support the use of oncological therapies as an alternative to MPE drainage, and the literature supported the use of tissue biopsy as the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment planning.Management options for malignant pleural effusions have advanced over the past decade, with high-quality randomized trial evidence informing practice in many areas. However, uncertainties remain and further research is required http://ow.ly/rNt730jOxOS.

Background: Malignant pleural effusion is a common sequelae in patients with certain malignancies. It represents a terminal condition with short median survival (in terms of months) and the goal is palliation. Aim of our study is to analyze morbidity, mortality and life expectancy following videothoracoscopic talc poudrage. Materials and methods: From September 2004 to October 2009, 400 patients underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for malignant pleural effusion. The conditions of patients were assessed and graded before and after treatment concerning morbidity, mortality, success rate of pleurodesis and median survival. Results: The median duration of follow up was 40 months (range 4-61 months). All patients demonstrated notable improvement in dyspnea. Intraoperative mortality was zero. The procedure was well tolerated and no significant adverse effects were observed. In hospital mortality was 2% and the pleurodesis success rate was 85%. A poor Karnofsky Performance Status and delay between diagnosis of pleural effusion and pleurodesis were statistically significant factors for in-hospital mortality. The best survival was seen in breast cancer, followed by ovarian cancer, lymphoma and pleural mesothelioma. Conclusions: Video-assisted thoracoscopic talc poudrage is an effective and safe procedure that yields a high rate of successful pleurodesis and achieves long-term control with marked dyspnea decrease.

Autologous blood is a novel, high-efficacy sclerosant for treatment of malignant pleural effusion (MPE), similar to tetracycline. There has been no comparative data between autologous blood and a worldwide sclerosant like talc. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of autologous blood versus talc pleurodesis.

The search for an inexpensive agent for chemical pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusion (MPE) continues. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of iodopovidone versus doxycycline for pleurodesis in MPE.We randomized consecutive subjects with recurrent symptomatic MPE (1:1) to undergo pleurodesis with either doxycycline or iodopovidone administered through an intercostal tube. The primary outcome was the success rate of pleurodesis at 30 days. The secondary outcomes were the time to pleurodesis, chest pain (assessed using visual analog scale [VAS]) after pleurodesis, and complications (hypotension, acute respiratory failure, empyema).We randomized 52 and 58 subjects to receive either doxycycline or iodopovidone. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of the study population (51% women) was 54.1 (13.6) years. Lung cancer (≥ 60%) was the most common underlying cause of MPE. We observed a similar frequency of success in the doxycycline vs. the iodopovidone group (complete response: 43 (82.7%) vs. 46 (79.3%) subjects; partial response: 7 (13.5%) vs. 10 (17.2%) subjects; p = 0.3). The mean (SD) time to pleurodesis was 1.5 (1.9) days and 1.9 (5.4) days in the doxycycline and iodopovidone groups, respectively. While the VAS for chest pain was significantly higher with iodopovidone (mean [SD] VAS: doxycycline, 31.9 [20.9]; iodopovidone, 41.3 [21.8]; p = 0.017), it did not reach the minimal clinically important difference. The complication rates were similar between the two groups.Iodopovidone was not superior to doxycycline for pleurodesis in MPE. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER/DATE: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02583282) / October 22, 2015.© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are an important complication for patients with intrathoracic and extrathoracic malignancies. Median survival after diagnosis of an MPE is 4 months. Patients can present with an MPE as a complication of far-advanced cancer or as the initial manifestation of an underlying malignancy. Common cancer types causing MPEs include lymphomas, mesotheliomas, and carcinomas of the breast, lung, gastrointestinal tract, and ovaries. However, almost all tumor types have been reported to cause MPEs. New imaging modalities assist the evaluation of patients with a suspected MPE; however, positive cytologic or tissue confirmation of malignant cells is necessary to establish a diagnosis. Even in the presence of known malignancy, up to 50% of pleural effusions are benign, underscoring the importance of a firm diagnosis to guide therapy. Rapidly evolving interventional and histopathologic techniques have improved the diagnostic yield of standard cytology and biopsy. Management of an MPE remains palliative; it is critical that the appropriate management approach is chosen on the basis of available expertise and the patient's clinical status. This review summarizes the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of MPE. Studies in the English language were identified by searching the MEDLINE database (1980-2007) using the search terms pleura, pleural, malignant, pleurodesis, and thoracoscopy.

Breast and ovarian cancer account for over 30% of malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). Treatment of the metastatic disease requires control of the MPE. Even though primarily symptomatic, the treatment of the MPE can potentially affect the oncological course of the disease. The aim of this review is to analyze the effectiveness of intrathoracic chemotherapy in the treatment of MPE caused by breast and ovarian cancer.A systematic literature research was conducted up until May 2021. Studies published in English on patients undergoing either surgical or interventional intrapleural chemotherapy were included.Thirteen studies with a total of 497 patients were included. Analysis was performed on 169 patients with MPE due to breast cancer and eight patients with MPE secondary to ovarian cancer. The pooled success rates of intrathoracic chemotherapy for controlling the MPE were 59.1% and 87.5%, respectively. A survival analysis was not possible with the available data. The overall toxicity of the treatment was low.Intrathoracic chemotherapy achieves symptomatic control of the MPE in 59.1% of patients with metastatic breast cancer and 87.5% of patients with metastatic ovarian cancer. This is inferior to other forms of surgical pleurodesis. Data from small case series and studies on intraperitoneal chemotherapy show promising results. However, formal oncological studies on the use of intrathoracic chemotherapy for metastatic breast or ovarian cancer are lacking. Further prospective pilot studies are needed to assess the therapeutic oncological effects of this treatment.© 2022 The Authors. Thoracic Cancer published by China Lung Oncology Group and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

To analyze the clinical effect of bevacizumab combined with cisplatin in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion and ascites.A total of 86 patients with malignant pleural effusion and ascites admitted from June 2018 to September 2020 were selected as the research participants and randomly divided into a control group and observation group, with 43 cases in each group. The control group was given cisplatin intracavitary perfusion scheme, and the observation group was given bevacizumab combined with cisplatin intracavitary perfusion scheme. The Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) were used to evaluate participants' self-perceived negative symptoms, depression, and anxiety. The therapeutic effect and adverse reactions of the 2 groups were compared. The t-test was used for measurement data, and c2 test was used for enumeration data. Statistical significance was considered at P<0.05.After treatment, the serum levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the observation group were significantly decreased and statistically lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05); the malignant pleural and abdominal water volume, average urine volume, and average chest circumference of the observation group were improved, and the difference was statistically significant compared with the control group (all P<0.05). The scores of each factor of SCL-90 in the observation group were decreased, among which the scores of somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, and terror in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05); after treatment, the HAMD and HAMA scores of the observation group decreased, and the scores of HAMD (13.71±5.98) and HAMA (17.62±3.98) of the observation group were significantly lower than the score of (16.52±5.75) and (21.54±4.77) of the control group (both P<0.05).In the clinical treatment of malignant pleural effusion and ascites, bevacizumab combined with cisplatin intracavitary perfusion can improve the clinical treatment effect, reduce the depression and anxiety of patients, optimize patient quality of life, and improve the safety of treatment.Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100048959.

Bevacizumab is a humanized antihuman VEGF-A monoclonal antibody. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin plus bevacizumab (Avastin) in the management of malignant ascites in ovarian epithelial cancer. Fifty-eight ovarian epithelial cancer patients with malignant ascites were randomly assigned to receive either intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin only (control group, n = 27, cisplatin: 40 mg/m(2) every 2 weeks, for 6 weeks) or cisplatin plus bevacizumab (study group, n = 31, cisplatin: 40 mg/m(2), bevacizumab: 300 mg, every 2 weeks for 6 weeks). All patients regularly received TC regimen (paclitaxel 135 mg/m(2) d1 + carboplatin AUC 5 d1) every 3 weeks. The outcome, quality of life (QoL) and adverse effect of the treatment were analyzed, and VEGF and CA-125 level in ascites were detected by ELISA. After treatment with cisplatin plus bevacizumab, VEGF level in ascites was significantly decreased compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, ascites VEGF level of study group was significantly lower than that of control group (P < 0.05). The overall response rate (ORR) of study group was significantly higher than that of control group (ORR 90.32 vs. 59.26 %, P < 0.05). QoL improvement rate of study group was also significantly higher than that of control group (93.55 vs. 48.15 %, P < 0.05). All patients were well tolerated, and no serious adverse effect occurred. Intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin plus bevacizumab is effective and safe for the management of malignant ascites in ovarian epithelial cancer.

The safety and efficacy of hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC) as an adjunct to cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in pleural malignancies has been well demonstrated. This is most often described in cases of mesothelioma, thymoma, or other secondary pleural metastases. The utilization of a direct cytotoxic agent with increased penetration secondary to a hyperthermic environment is especially beneficial in pleural malignancy as a microscopic resection remains immensely challenging. Despite favorable outcomes with a limited associated risk profile, there persists a variety in utilization and technique of HITHOC described in current literature. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines state that though intraoperative adjuvant therapies such as HITHOC have been studied, they remain of unclear benefit and definitive recommendations do not currently exist. This ambiguity limits the standardization of HITHOC, thus hindering its further application in a patient population with exceedingly poor outcomes within current guideline-based therapy. As the prevalence of pleural malignancies necessitating CRS with adjuvant HITHOC remains quite low, we believe a task force initiative to further investigate the role of HITHOC in surgical management of pleural malignancies would enable wider utility of this promising technique. Additionally, we propose that the creation of a pleural cancer index could aid in standardization of HITHOC in those with pleural malignancy.2023 Journal of Thoracic Disease. All rights reserved.

Intrathoracic metastasis of ovarian cancer has poor prognosis regardless of treatment modality. Recent development of surgical techniques and the new concept of direct infusion of chemotherapeutic agents with hyperthermia could help with the treatment of disseminated diseases in ovarian cancer. Using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and intracavitary chemotherapy with hyperthermia, we tried hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy for a case of stage IV high-grade serous ovarian cancer with pleural metastasis. There was no high-grade complication related to the procedure. The patient is alive without disease at 32 months after initial treatment.

A female patient aged 42, started chemotherapy for advanced ovarian carcinoma in June 2016. Considering intraoperative findings, cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) were performed, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. In March 2018, computed tomography (CT) examination showed disease progression in the form of pleural carcinomatosis with increased levels of tumor markers. In April 2018, total parietal pleurectomy, partial visceral pleurectomy, and then hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC) with cisplatin were performed. The procedure was uneventful, as was the postoperative course. The patient was discharged on the 13th postoperative day with no major postoperative complications. Three months after surgery, CT showed no signs of disease relapse. Since this is a relatively new method of treating pleural carcinomatosis, real results are to be expected with larger series of patients and longer postoperative follow-up.

Background: Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an important immunotherapy cytokine for various diseases including cancer. Some studies reported the efficacy and safety on cisplatin combined with IL-2 versus cisplatin alone for treating malignant pleural effusion (MPE) through thoracic injection.Methods: We searched these studies from medical electronic database. A total of 18 studies that met the inclusion criteria were recruited in this meta-analysis. Pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined by the fixed effects model of meta-analysis.Results: The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) of cisplatin plus IL-2 for controlling MPE was significantly higher than that of cisplatin alone (p < 0.001). In addition, compared with cisplatin alone, the presence of IL-2 improved the quality of life (QOL) of patients with MPE (p < 0.001). Although the use of IL-2 seemed to increase the probability of fever in patients (p = 0.001), it did not lead to extra other side effects (AEs) including myelotoxicity, nausea/vomiting and chest pain (p > 0.05).Conclusions: The low-dose IL-2 improved the ORR, DCR and QOL of patients in the treatment of MPE. Although it may cause fever in patients, it did not increase other AEs.