The PDQ cancer information summaries are reviewed regularly and updated as new information becomes available. This section describes the latest changes made to this summary as of the date above.

Overview ¹

Added text ² on dyspnea and its optimal treatment.

Dyspnea and Coughing in Patients With Advanced Cancer ³

Added lymphangitic carcinomatosis, pericardial effusion, paralysis of a hemidiaphragm, anemia, certain acidotic states, bronchospasm, and functional causes (e.g., anxiety) as direct causes ⁴ of dyspnea.

Revised text ⁵ to state that assessment of dyspnea should also include appreciation of the dynamic component of dyspnea—namely, exertional dyspnea.

Added superior venal caval obstruction, pericardial effusions, and pulmonary embolism as examples ⁶ of underlying causes of dyspnea.

Revised text ⁷ to state that symptomatic management of dyspnea is based primarily on oxygen therapy, opioids for palliation of dyspnea, and treatment of underlying causes (e.g., superimposed infection) when appropriate.

Malignant Pleural Effusion ⁸

Added text ⁹ to state that the choice of treatment depends on patient prognosis, functional status, and goals of care.

Added text ¹⁰ to state that tunneled pleural catheters allow up to 96% of patients to achieve symptom improvement, with spontaneous pleurodesis occurring on its own in up to 44% of patients (cited Tremblay et al. as reference 7).

Added text ¹¹ to state that reaccumulation rate is approximately 98% by day 30 (cited Anderson et al. as reference 8).

Malignant Pericardial Effusion ¹²

Revised text ¹³ to state that catheter drainage is recommended for large effusions for the anticipated survival of the patient.

Added text ¹⁴ to state that consideration must be given to the side effects of various sclerosing agents, e.g., chest pain and arrhythmias.