Diagnosis and treatment of malignant pleural effusion
Diagnostic methods for malignant pleural effusion include tumor marker examination, chest X-ray examination, PET-CT examination, etc.
1. Tumor marker examination
When patients undergo tumor marker examinations, they can determine whether there is malignant pleural effusion based on the levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 125 and other substances in the serum.
2. Chest X-ray examination
Through chest X-ray examination, patients can observe whether there is effusion in the pleural cavity and help diagnose malignant pleural effusion. If the amount of effusion is less than 30ml, it is generally not easy to detect.
3.PET-CT examination
When patients undergo PET-CT examination, they can scan the whole body to observe whether tumor cells have metastasized, determine the location of metastasis, and determine the severity of the condition.
Treatment methods for malignant pleural effusion include general treatment, surgical treatment, chemical drug treatment, etc.
1. General treatment
Patients need to rest more during the illness to avoid overexertion. Family members should help turn over and change positions correctly to fully drain the fluid in the pleural cavity and reduce the progression of the disease.
2. Surgical treatment
Patients should promptly undergo pleurocentesis, pleurodesis and other surgeries to reduce atelectasis, assist lung recruitment, improve lung function, and relieve symptoms of dyspnea.
3. Chemical drug treatment
Patients need to use cisplatin injection, carboplatin injection, epirubicin hydrochloride for injection and other drugs according to the doctor’s regulations to kill cancer cells in the body, reduce the size of tumor tissue, and promote recovery from malignant pleural effusion.
