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Palliative treatment for pleural effusion includes the treatment that you are receiving for your lung cancer, which can help reduce the pain and ease the shortness of breath caused by this abnormal combination of fluid. The fluid can be removed through a procedure called thoracentesis. A thoracentesis can be done in an outpatient setting.
If the fluid comes back, another procedure that’s called pleurodesis can be offered as a next step. Pleurodesis is more invasive and it’s usually done after the fluid is taken out. A chemical substance is placed inside the space where the fluid was previously building up this chemical substance causes an inflammation that eventually sticks up the lung to the chest to ensure that new fluid cannot come back.
If the fluid still returns after pleurodesis, a permanent catheter can be left in place and the fluid can be removed at home using a special kit for drainage. Your palliative care specialist together with your cancer care specialist can help you decide what is the best approach to treat the symptoms of pleural effusion and decrease the discomfort.
Glossary:
Catheter – a flexible, thin tube used to give or draw liquids from the body, and can also be used to give a patient medication
Pleurodesis – a procedure to stick the lung to the chest wall in order to stop air build-up in that space
Thoracentesis – a procedure to remove excess air or fluid from around the lungs
