BackgroundChylothorax is a rare condition which can be associated with malignant lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs). We retrospectively analyzed the results of the conservative treatment of 10 patients with persistent non-traumatic malignant chylothorax.ResultsConservative treatment lead to a decline of chylothorax after mean of 66 days and consisted of the treatment of the underlying disease and of simultaneous long-term supportive care (drainage of the thoracic cavity, dietary measures and nutrition management). In most cases (80%), chylothorax disappeared only after a successful therapeutic response of the underlying disease. Low-dose radiotherapy had very good effects in two patients.ConclusionConservative treatment of malignant chylothorax can be considered a suitable method. Based on our results, successful treatment of the lymphoproliferative disorder seems to be a very important factor for the disappearance of chylothorax.
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