Klin Onkol 2001; 14(Zvláštní číslo): 16-19.
Summary: The authors describe basic epidemiological data concerning the occurrence of pleural effusion in general population and in clinical groups of patients. They define diagnostic criteria of the most frequent types. Furtherrnore. pathophysiological mechanisms causing the origin of pleural effusions in malignancies are described in detail. Among diagnostic criteria of malignant pleural effusions, the cytology is most appreciated here with positivity of 40 - 91 %. The yield of blind pleural biopsy is lower - 39 - 75%. Recently, the importance of thoracoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant pleural effusions has been growing. Among therapeutic modalities, pleurodesis using Corynebacterium parvum, bleomycine, and talc are described with favourable outcomes in 80 - 88%. Malignant pleural effusions represent a clinical problem which requires perrnanent attention of pneumologists. Their early diagnosis and treatment can improve the duration and quality of survival of the patients.
