Introduction: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a complication of advanced cancer, associated with significant mortality and morbidity. This entity is commonly treated by respiratory physicians, oncologists, and thoracic surgeons. There have been various randomized clinical trials assessing the relative merits of chest drain pleurodesis, indwelling pleural catheters, treatment of septated MPEs, the use of thoracoscopy and pleurodesis and pleurodesis through IPCs in the past decade which have addressed some key areas in the management of MPEs, with an increasing focus on patient related outcome.
Areas covered: In this review, we examine and review the literature for management strategies for MPEs and discuss future directions. A detailed search of scientific literature and clinical trial registries published in the past two decades was undertaken.
Expert opinion: Tremendous progress has been made in management of MPE in the past decade and current strategy involves patient preference along with local expertise that is available.
Keywords: Malignant; indwelling pleural catheter; management; pleural effusion; pleurodesis; thoracoscopy.