Syahruddin E, Pratama AD, Arief N. J Respir Indones. 2010;30(3):146-51
Introduction : Malignant pleural effusions (MPE) are caused most commonly by carcinomas of the breast, lung, gastrointestinal tract or ovary and by lymphomas. In male patients about half of malignant effusions are caused by lung cancer. With lung cancer, a malignant pleural effusion may be the first sign of cancer, or it can occur as a late complication of advanced disease. The average life expectancy for lung cancer with a malignant pleural effusion is less than 6 months. We did a study to find clinical and diagnostic characteristic of lung cancer with malignant pleural effusions.
Methods : We performed a cross sectional, retrospective study in Persahabatan Hospital. We used medical record of lung cancer patients who admitted in Persahabatan hospital during 1st January 2004 to 31 December 2007. Patients within inclusion criteria were used as samples.
Results : In 535 lung cancer patients, we found that 167 (31,2%) with pleural effusions. Male were 106/167 (63, 5%), median ages were 55 in range 18 – 81 years old. One hundred and thirty one (78.4%) patients came to hospital with breathlessness as chief of complaint. Adenocarcinoma was found in 150 of 167 (90.1%) patients and using system TNM version 6 was found 51 of 1`67 (30,5%) patient with stage IV.
Conclusion : Malignant pleural effusion is one of big problem in management of lung cancer patients in Persahabatan hospital. We need a cohort study to evaluate clinical outcome and have specific management for lung cancer with pleural effusion.
Keywords: lung cancer, MPE, characteristics