Skip to main content
An official website of the United States government
Español

Steritalc

(STAYR-ih-talc)
A mist or powdered form of the mineral magnesium silicate that is used to prevent malignant pleural effusions from coming back. Malignant pleural effusion is a condition in which cancer causes an abnormal collection of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall. When Steritalc is given through a tube inserted into the pleural space, it causes the space to close up so fluid cannot collect there. Steritalc is a type of sclerosing agent. Also called Sclerosol Intrapleural Aerosol, Sterile Talc Powder, and talc.
Search NCI's Dictionary of Cancer Terms