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 and radiation therapy 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 helps seal the space around your lungs to prevent the fluid from returning.
MD Anderson
Jianjun Zhang is an Oncologist in Houston, Texas. Dr. Zhang is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Metastatic Pleural Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), Metastatic Pleural Tumor, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), and Hip Replacement.
MD Anderson
Anne Tsao is an Oncologist and a Hematologist in Houston, Texas. Dr. Tsao is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Metastatic Pleural Tumor. Her top areas of expertise are Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Thymic Epithelial Tumor, and Tissue Biopsy.
H Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr And Res Inst Life Time Cancer Scrn Ctr Inc
Benjamin Creelan is an Oncologist in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Creelan is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Metastatic Pleural Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), EGFR Positive Lung Cancer, Lung Adenocarcinoma, and Tissue Biopsy. Dr. Creelan is currently accepting new patients.
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 several months to several years. The outlook depends on:
- The location of pleural tumors
- The cell type of pleural tumors
- The stage of the tumor
- 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 5-year survival rate (number of people who live for more than 5 years after diagnosis) is less than 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: The purpose of this study to find out if tocilizumab can be safely infused into chest or abdominal cavities of patients with malignancy ascites (MA) or malignant pleural effusions (MPE). Patients will have a total of 4 doses, one dose administered each week. Each dose will be greater than the previous one.
Published Date: June 17, 2024
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, 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.
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, Gary Lee YC. 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.
Wald O, Izhar U, Sugarbaker DJ. Lung, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 58.