Evidence-based On-call

internal medicine

Pleural effusion

Causes
Clinical features
Investigations
Therapy
Prognosis

Prognosis

Malignant effusions often recur ^b

and mortality is high. ^b

Note:

Half of patients with a malignant effusion have a recurrence within 6 months (47%: 95% CI: 34% to 59%) ^b
Most patients are dead within 26 months (92%: 95% CI: 81% to 100%) ^b

Expiry date: July 2003
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides

Author	CM Ball
Reviewer	D Geddes
CAT Writers	D Stanley , CM Ball