Publication:

Clinical profile and etiological spectrum of malignant pleural effusion: a hospital-based observational study

Background Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common manifestation of advanced malignancy and is associated with significant morbidity. It results from direct or metastatic involvement of the pleura and often indicates poor prognosis. Aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical profile, etiological spectrum, and cytological characteristics of malignant pleural effusion.

Methods This hospital-based observational study was conducted on 89 patients diagnosed with malignant pleural effusion from May 2012 to December 2014. Detailed clinical evaluation, radiological assessment, and pleural fluid analysis were performed. Effusions were classified using Light’s criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test with statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results The mean age of patients was 59.06±15.53 years with a nearly equal gender distribution. The most common presenting symptom was cough (61.2%), followed by breathlessness (22.41%). Lung carcinoma was the most frequent primary malignancy (43.8%), followed by breast (15.7%) and ovarian malignancies (14.6%). Adenocarcinoma (28.1%) was the most common histopathological type. Pleural fluid cytology was positive for malignant cells in 68.5% of cases.

Conclusions Malignant pleural effusion is most commonly associated with lung carcinoma and typically affects older adults. Pleural fluid cytology remains a crucial diagnostic tool for identifying malignant involvement of the pleura.