Predicting Outcomes in Patients with Malignant Pleural Effusions

There is limited understanding on predicting clinical outcomes in patients with malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). This review explores recent research in predicting outcomes for patients with malignant pleural effusions, looking at findings in topics such as predicting survival, non-expansile lung, time to next procedure, pleurodesis success, time to IPC removal and symptom benefit. We show that many tools exist to help guide management of patients in MPEs, with some showing limited results. Much more is now known in areas such as predicting survival, symptom benefit and time to next procedure, whilst other areas of clinical interest require further development before clinical application can be fully realised. Overall, work predicting outcomes for patients with MPEs shows promise, but more work is required in all areas before these emerging findings can be put into clinical practice to best manage patients.