Malignant Effusions

Fluid around the lung caused by cancer makes it an advanced stage.   Often frequent drainage of the fluid is needed to address shortness of breath as a quality of life issue.   A catheter can be permanently inserted into the chest which allow frequent periodic drainage in an outpatient setting.  Another option that we offer is a minimally invasive pleuradesis where a sclerosant is sprayed into the chest followed by placement of a drain.  If the lung adheres to the chest wall with treatment, the drain can be removed as an outpatient and the patient can be free of needing periodic drainage or of having a permanent drain.