Metastatic Pleural TumorSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Metastatic Pleural Tumor Overview
Learn About 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.
Tumor - metastatic pleural
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.
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
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.
Hospital Of The University Of Pennsylvania Radiology
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.
Avera Medical Group Oncology & Hematology — Aberdeen
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.
Hospital Of The University Of Pennsylvania
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.
You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.
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.
Health problems that may result include:
- Side effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Continued spread of the cancer
Early detection and treatment of primary cancers may prevent metastatic pleural tumors in some people.
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...
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...
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.
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