A case series of malignant pericardial effusion

Abstract

The most common primary malignancies that affect the pericardium are lung cancers. Typically, pericardial involvement stays undiagnosed, with almost 1-20% of all tumor-related autopsies revealing invasion of the pericardium. Pericardial effusions are seldom the first location of metastasis and presentation of a primary malignancy. Malignant pericardial effusions are usually silent, although they cause dyspnea, chest discomfort, arrhythmias, cough, and, in rare cases, pericardial tamponade. In a patient with tamponade, a high index of tumor-related suspicion is crucial to rule out cancer. Emergency pericardiocentesis is indicated based on the clinical presentation, however, the patient frequently has a bad prognosis regardless of whether treatment is administered or not. In this case series, we report five cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with pericardial effusion as an initial presentation.

Evaluation of Surgical Clinic Nurses’ Knowledge Levels About Palliative Surgery

“…The fact that nurses did not have enough information about the treatment of a symptom that affects life may affect the results of care. [16][17][18][19] Palliative surgical procedures accounts for a large percentage of surgical procedures performed and constitute 10-20% of all surgical procedures performed in oncology practice. 4,20 It was found that most of the nurses had no idea about this issue and had the wrong information.…”

“…The fact that nurses did not have enough information about the treatment of a symptom that affects life may affect the results of care. 16–19…”

Malignant Pericardial Effusion Presenting as a Sequela of Lung Adenocarcinoma

“…Pericardial effusions are described as the accumulation of fluid within the pericardial sac, separating the visceral and parietal layers of the heart [ 1 , 2 ]. The pericardial sac or cavity normally contains 50-100 mL of fluid.…”

“…This cavity can accommodate over 1000 mL without cardiac compromise when accumulated slowly [ 3 ]. Major causes of pericardial effusion include infection, malignancy, heart failure, renal failure, liver cirrhosis, autoimmune disease, Dressler syndrome, and medications such as hydralazine and procainamide [ 1 ]. Primary pericardial neoplasms are 40x less common than metastatic pericardial effusions [ 3 ].…”

“…Primary pericardial neoplasms are 40x less common than metastatic pericardial effusions [ 3 ]. The most common causes of pericardial effusions are lung and breast cancers, leading to effusions via local lymphatic invasion, direct mediastinal invasion, and less commonly through hematogenous invasion [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]. We present the case of a middle-aged female with a large malignant pericardial effusion in the setting of advanced-stage lung adenocarcinoma.…”