Metastatic Pleural Tumor
Symptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More

Learn About Metastatic Pleural Tumor

What is the definition of Metastatic Pleural Tumor?

Metastatic pleural tumor is a type of cancer that has spread from another organ to the thin membrane (pleura) surrounding the lungs and lining the inside of the chest cavity.

What are the alternative names for Metastatic Pleural Tumor?

Tumor - metastatic pleural

What are the causes of Metastatic Pleural Tumor?

The blood and lymph systems can carry cancer cells to other organs in the body. There, they can produce new growths or tumors.

Almost any type of cancer can spread to the lungs and involve the pleura.

What are the symptoms of Metastatic Pleural Tumor?

Symptoms may include any of the following:

  • Chest pain, especially when taking a deep breath
  • Cough
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
  • General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
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What are the current treatments for Metastatic Pleural Tumor?

Pleural tumors usually can't be removed with surgery. The original (primary) cancer should be treated. Chemotherapy may be used, depending on the type of primary cancer.

Your provider may recommend thoracentesis if you have a lot of fluid collecting around your lungs and you have shortness of breath or low blood oxygen levels. After the fluid is removed, your lungs will be able to expand more. This allows you to breathe easier.

To prevent the fluid from collecting again, medicine may be placed directly into your chest space through a tube, called a catheter. Or, your surgeon may spray a medicine or talc on the lung surface during the procedure. This procedure is called pleurodesis and may help seal the space around your lungs to prevent the fluid from returning.

Who are the top Metastatic Pleural Tumor Local Doctors?
Distinguished in Metastatic Pleural Tumor
Radiology | Nuclear Medicine
Distinguished in Metastatic Pleural Tumor
Radiology | Nuclear Medicine
Referral may be required

Hospital Of The University Of Pennsylvania Radiology

3400 Spruce Street, 
Philadelphia, PA 
Languages Spoken:
English

Narainder Gupta is a Radiologist and a Nuclear Medicine provider practicing medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Gupta is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Metastatic Pleural Tumor. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pleurisy, Pleural Effusion, Metastatic Pleural Tumor, and Gastric Lymphoma. Dr. Gupta is board certified in American Board Of Nuclear Medicine and American Board Of Radiology.

Distinguished in Metastatic Pleural Tumor
Distinguished in Metastatic Pleural Tumor
Referral may be required

Avera Medical Group Oncology & Hematology — Aberdeen

310 S Penn St, Suite 106, 
Aberdeen, SD 
Languages Spoken:
English

Dr. Richard Conklin is an oncologist/hematologist at Avera Medical Group Oncology & Hematology Aberdeen. Dr. Conklin is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Metastatic Pleural Tumor. He is also highly rated in 90 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Acute Myelomonocytic Leukemia, Familial Colorectal Cancer, Lynch Syndrome, Paget Disease of the Breast, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Conklin is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine American Board Of Internal Medicine-Medical Oncology.

 
 
 
 
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Advanced in Metastatic Pleural Tumor
Advanced in Metastatic Pleural Tumor
Referral may be required

Hospital Of The University Of Pennsylvania

Radiology Cardiovascular Imaging Section, 3400 Spruce Street, 
Philadelphia, PA 
Languages Spoken:
English

Sharyn Katz is a Radiologist practicing medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Katz is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Metastatic Pleural Tumor. She is also highly rated in 37 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Pleural Effusion, Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), and Tissue Biopsy. Dr. Katz is board certified in American Board Of Radiology.

What are the support groups for Metastatic Pleural Tumor?

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Metastatic Pleural Tumor?

The survival time varies greatly from one month to, infrequently, several years. The outlook depends on:

  • The location of pleural tumors
  • The cell type of pleural tumors
  • The person's age and general health
  • Whether surgery is an option
  • The person's response to treatment

You and your family may want to start thinking about end-of-life planning, such as:

  • Palliative care
  • Hospice care
  • Advance care directives
  • Health care agents

The 1-year survival rate (number of people who live for more than 1 year after diagnosis) is around 25% for people with pleural tumors that have spread from other parts of the body.

What are the possible complications of Metastatic Pleural Tumor?

Health problems that may result include:

  • Side effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy
  • Continued spread of the cancer
How do I prevent Metastatic Pleural Tumor?

Early detection and treatment of primary cancers may prevent metastatic pleural tumors in some people.

What are the latest Metastatic Pleural Tumor Clinical Trials?
Fast TILs to Treat Metastatic Pleural Effusions From Epithelial or Mesothelial Primary Tumors: A Phase I Trial (FAST TILS 2)

Summary: This research study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel immunotherapy, Fast TIL, an Adoptive Cellular Therapeutic (ACT), to fight cancer that has spread to the pleura or pleural mesothelioma. The ACT product is created at AHN West Penn using the participant's pleural infiltrating T-cells (PIT). It is administered through a pleural catheter along with the drug Interleukin-2 (IL...

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Fast TILs to Treat Metastatic Cancer Patients With Pleural Disease: A Phase I Trial

Summary: This research study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel immunotherapy, Fast TIL, an Adoptive Cellular Therapeutic (ACT), to fight cancer that has spread to the pleura or pleural mesothelioma. The ACT product is created at AHN West Penn using the participant's pleural infiltrating T-cells (PIT). It is administered through a pleural catheter along with the drug Interleukin-2 (IL...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: May 01, 2026
Published By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Arenberg DA, Reddy RM. Metastatic malignant tumors. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 79.

Davies HE, Sterman D, Lee YCG. Pleural malignancy. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 114.

Kaider-Person O, Zagar T, Haithcock BE, Weiss J. Diseases of the pleura and mediastinum. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 70.

McCool FD. Diseases of the diaphragm, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 86.

National Cancer Institute website. Metastatic cancer: When cancer spreads. www.cancer.gov/types/metastatic-cancer. Updated January 17, 2025. Accessed May 31, 2026.

Rossetti NE, Tohmasi S, Onaitis MW, Kozower BD. Lung, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Tyler DS, Hayes-Dixon A, Hines OJ, et al, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery: The Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 110.