How would you treat a recurrent chylothorax in a patient with metastatic cholangiocarcinoma?
Pleural fluid cytology is negative for malignancy but shows mesothelial cells. Would you use a PleurX or target with radiotherapy? From my understanding, malignant chylothorax is caused by compression of the thoracic duct, which can have an extrapulmonary etiology and target localization can be difficult.
1 Answer
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Radiation Oncology · Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Answered on
I would not expect radiation to improve the situation. The only time that I have treated a tumor that I thought was causing a chylothorax it did not improve. Generally, radiation does not open obstructions of veins, ducts, or the GI tract.
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