{"id":813,"date":"2020-04-17T13:00:10","date_gmt":"2020-04-17T17:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/?page_id=813"},"modified":"2025-08-19T15:45:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T19:45:27","slug":"effusion","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/effusion\/","title":{"rendered":"Mesothelioma Pleural Effusion"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>What Are Pleural Effusions?<\/h2>\n<p>A pleural effusion is most accurately defined as\u200b a buildup of fluid between the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity. Effusions are commonly associated with lung cancers.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-21074\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/pleural-effusions-e1672324464154-300x180.jpg\" alt=\"Doctor showing X-rays of lungs to patient\" width=\"300\" height=\"180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/pleural-effusions-e1672324464154-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/pleural-effusions-e1672324464154.jpg 716w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Over 1.5 million people are diagnosed with pleural effusions each year in the United States. Pleural effusions are the most common <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/symptoms\/pleural\/\">sign of pleural mesothelioma.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>As fluid builds up between the pleural linings, it restricts lung movement. Pleural effusions are one of the main causes of pleural mesothelioma symptoms like shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.<\/p>\n<p>Pleural effusions, or \u201cwater on the lungs,\u201d can be treated with palliative (pain-relieving) surgeries that drain fluid from the chest. Draining excess fluid buildup relieves chest pressure, allowing the patient to breathe more easily.<\/p>\n<p>Research has shown that virtually every patient with pleural effusions who underwent fluid drainage experienced decreased symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>Learn how <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/\">malignant mesothelioma<\/a> and pleural effusions are diagnosed and treated in our <strong>Free Pleural Mesothelioma Guide<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"26222\" class=\"one-off-26222 widget widget_oscar-vque one-off\" data-vqueid=\"26222\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"one-off\">.one-off-26222{margin:60px auto}.one-off-26222 a{border-radius:10px;display:block;background:#0FAEBF;padding:20px 30px 75px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;position:relative;overflow:hidden;max-width:335px;margin:0 auto;color:#000}.one-off-26222 a::before{background:#e4f4f6;border-radius:0 0 70% 0;content:'';position:absolute;top:0;height:96%;width:85%;right:-70px;z-index:0}.one-off-26222 a::after{background:#e4f4f6;border-radius:0;content:'';position:absolute;top:0;height:96%;width:60%;left:0;z-index:0}.one-off-26222 .vque-content,.one-off-26222 .image-wrap{z-index:1;position:relative}.one-off-26222 .image-wrap{max-width:163px;display:block;position:absolute;bottom:-20px;right:0}.one-off-26222 .heading{font-size:22px;line-height:26px;text-align:center;display:block;max-width:340px;margin:0 auto 25px;letter-spacing:-1px;max-width:280px}.one-off-26222 ul{list-style:none;margin-top:-10px;margin-left:0;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:20px;margin-bottom:45px}.one-off-26222 ul li{margin:0;position:relative;padding-left:30px;margin-bottom:15px}.one-off-26222 ul li::before{font-family:\"mesohope\"!important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;content:\"\\e904\";background:#0FAEBF;width:20px;height:20px;display:block;position:absolute;left:0;top:0;border-radius:50%;color:#fff;font-size:10px;text-align:center;line-height:20px}.one-off-26222 .button{padding:12px 16px}.one-off-26222 .button::after{display:none}@media screen and (min-width:768px){.one-off-26222 a{max-width:620px;padding:25px 30px 37px}.one-off-26222 a::before{height:96%;border-radius:0 0 66% 0}.one-off-26222 a::after{height:96%;width:64%}.one-off-26222 .heading{text-align:left;margin:0 0 15px;font-size:24px;line-height:28px;max-width:350px}.one-off-26222 ul{margin:0 0 25px;font-size:17px;line-height:24px;max-width:315px}.one-off-26222 ul li{margin-bottom:10px}.one-off-26222 .button{padding:14px 28px}.one-off-26222 .button.arrow::after{display:inline-block}.one-off-26222 .image-wrap{max-width:260px;position:absolute;right:30px;bottom:-15px;margin:0 0 -2px;z-index:1}}<\/style><a href=\"\/pleural-guide\/\" title=\"Free Pleural Mesothelioma Patient Guide\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Free Pleural Mesothelioma Patient Guide Ad\"><div>\r\n    <div class=\"vque-content\">\r\n        <strong class=\"heading\">Get Your Free Pleural Mesothelioma Patient Guide<\/strong>\r\n        <ul>\r\n            <li>Top doctors and treatments<\/li>\r\n            <li>Managing signs & symptoms<\/li>\r\n            <li>Options for compensation<\/li>\r\n        <\/ul>\r\n        <p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Download It Now\">Download It Now<\/strong><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/pleural-guide-tablet.png\" alt=\"Free Pleural Guide\" class=\"lazyload\" ><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"causes\">What Causes Pleural Effusions?<\/h2>\n<p>Pleural effusions are an excess buildup of fluid in the pleura, the protective lining that covers the lungs and chest.<\/p>\n<p>A healthy person always has a small amount of fluid in the pleura, which allows for lubrication and movement. The normal amount of pleural fluid allows you to breathe comfortably. The body is good at regulating this fluid and evacuating excess fluid independently.<\/p>\n<p>There are a few different medical conditions that can cause pleural effusions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Common causes include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cancer<\/strong>: Pleural effusions may indicate cancer, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, or lymphoma.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Heart failure<\/strong>: If the heart is not pumping effectively, fluid may build up in the lungs and cause a pleural effusion.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lung infections<\/strong>: Pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other lung infections may lead to pleural effusions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Other medical conditions<\/strong>: Trauma to the chest, certain medications, and other medical conditions may cause pleural effusions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you are experiencing symptoms of a pleural effusion, it is important to talk to your doctor immediately. Pleural effusions may be caused by serious, life-threatening illnesses that must be treated promptly.<\/p>\n<h3>Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma as a Cause of Pleural Effusion<\/h3>\n<p>In patients who develop <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/\">pleural mesothelioma<\/a>, tumors accumulate in the pleura, which causes inflammation and constriction of the lining. Added pressure due to inflammation causes pleural blood vessels to leak fluid, which leads to excess liquid in the pleura. Pleural mesothelioma can be a cause of pleural effusions<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pleural effusions are common in pleural mesothelioma patients.<\/strong> However, other asbestos-related illnesses can cause pleural effusions as well.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/cancer\/lung-cancer\/\">Lung cancers<\/a> and <a href=\"\/asbestosis\/\">asbestosis<\/a> caused by asbestos exposure can also create pleural effusions.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"symptoms\">Pleural Effusion Symptoms<\/h2>\n<p>Specialists consider pleural effusions to be a strong early indicator of pleural mesothelioma. In fact, effusions are responsible for many <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/symptoms\/\">mesothelioma symptoms<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Signs and symptoms of pleural effusions include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<ul class='columns-2'>\n<li>Chest pain<\/li>\n<li>Dry cough<\/li>\n<li>Fatigue<\/li>\n<li>Fever<\/li>\n<li>General feeling of being unwell (malaise)<\/li>\n<li>Not being able to breathe properly when lying down<\/li>\n<li>Quickened breathing<\/li>\n<li>Sharp pain when coughing or taking deep breaths<\/li>\n<li>Shortness of breath<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n<p>As pleural effusions worsen, the shortness of breath may cause panic in the affected person. Some people report feeling as though they are being suffocated because the constriction has become so intense. Other people report feeling like they are drowning as the fluid accumulates.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-21075\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/man-coughing-e1672324509299-300x167.jpg\" alt=\"Man coughing\" width=\"300\" height=\"167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/man-coughing-e1672324509299-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/man-coughing-e1672324509299.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Some patients may have pleural effusions and never display any symptoms, making them difficult to detect. Those with pleural mesothelioma may not feel the symptoms of pleural effusions until the cancer is in advanced stages.<\/p>\n<p>That said, quickly reporting pleural effusion symptoms and any history of asbestos exposure could lead to a life-saving diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<p>Find top specialists who can treat your mesothelioma-caused pleural effusion right now. Use our <strong>Free Doctor Match<\/strong> service to get started.<\/p>\n<div id=\"25223\" class=\"one-off-25223 widget widget_oscar-vque one-off\" data-vqueid=\"25223\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"one-off\">.one-off-25223{margin:60px auto}.one-off-25223 a{box-shadow:0 4px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.25);display:block;background:#e4f4f6;padding:20px 25px 200px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;position:relative;overflow:hidden;max-width:360px;margin:0 auto}.one-off-25223 a::before{background:#0FAEBF;border-radius:50% 50% 0 0;content:'';position:absolute;bottom:0;height:19%;width:135%;left:-60px;z-index:0}.one-off-25223 .vque-content,.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{z-index:1;position:relative}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{width:100%;position:absolute;left:-10px;bottom:-15px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap img{position:absolute;bottom:0;width:100%;max-width:unset;left:0}.one-off-25223 .heading{font-size:27px;line-height:33px;text-align:center;display:block;max-width:340px;margin:5px auto 25px}.one-off-25223 ul{list-style:none;margin:-10px auto 22px;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:26px}.one-off-25223 ul li{margin:0 0 15px;position:relative;padding-left:35px}.one-off-25223 ul li::before{font-family:\"mesohope\"!important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;content:\"\\e904\";background:#0FAEBF;width:21px;height:21px;display:block;position:absolute;left:0;top:4px;border-radius:50%;color:#fff;font-size:11px;text-align:center;line-height:21px}.one-off-25223 p{text-align:center}.one-off-25223 .button{padding:12px 16px;display:block}@media screen and (min-width:768px){.one-off-25223 a{max-width:620px;padding:30px 30px 35px;border-radius:0 0 4px 4px}.one-off-25223 a::before{border-radius:50%;height:155%;width:150%;right:-550px;left:unset;bottom:-295px}.one-off-25223 .heading{text-align:left;margin:2px 0 25px;max-width:unset;font-size:24px}.one-off-25223 ul{margin:-7px 0 30px;max-width:365px;line-height:23px}.one-off-25223 ul li::before{top:1px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{max-width:unset;position:absolute;right:-25px;bottom:-35px;margin:0 0 -2px;left:unset;width:380px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap img{position:relative;bottom:0;left:0;width:380px}.one-off-25223 .button{display:inline-block;padding:14px 25px}.one-off-25223 p{text-align:left}}@media screen and (min-width:1150px){.one-off-25223 a{padding:30px}}<\/style><a href=\"\/get-matched\/\" title=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor Ad\"><div>\r\n    <div class=\"vque-content\">\r\n        <strong class=\"heading\">Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor<\/strong>\r\n        <ul>\r\n            <li>Find top specialists near you<\/li>\r\n            <li>Seek compensation for travel & care<\/li>\r\n            <li>Get medical guidance<\/li>\r\n        <\/ul>\r\n        <p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get Matched Now\">Get Matched Now<\/strong><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Doctors-ad.png\" alt=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor\" class=\"lazyload\" ><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"testing\">Testing Pleural Effusion Fluid for Cancer<\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re experiencing pleural effusion symptoms, it\u2019s important to know the underlying cause to receive proper treatment.<\/p>\n<p>If you experience difficulty breathing and chest pain your doctor will likely order a chest X-ray.<\/p>\n<p>Chest X-rays can show doctors whether or not there is a concerning level of fluid buildup in the chest. However, fluid buildup can also indicate other conditions like pneumonia or congestive heart failure. So, <strong>it\u2019s vital to report any known history of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/asbestos\/exposure\/\">asbestos exposure<\/a> to your doctor.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If X-rays confirm there is excess fluid, the next step is to take a sample of the fluid for testing. Doctors perform a thoracentesis, where a needle or thin tube is inserted into the space where the fluid has accumulated. A fluid sample is taken and sent to a medical lab for testing to determine if you have mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<p>Lab technicians analyze the fluid to determine if the effusion has been caused by cancer. Protein-rich pleural fluid is a strong indicator of cancer. In these cases, further diagnostic steps must be taken to determine if the cause is mesothelioma or another type of cancer such as lung cancer, breast cancer, or lymphoma.<\/p>\n<a href=\"#triggerChat\" class=\"connect-cta alt\" data-ce-category=\"Connect CTA\" data-ce-label=\"Chat Now\"><div><style type=\"text\/css\">a.connect-cta.default{outline:0;display:block;background:#EDF8F9;border-radius:10px;margin:70px auto 40px;max-width:340px;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;padding:22px;color:#383441;line-height:1.5;border:2px solid #0FAEBF}a.connect-cta.default span.img-wrap{display:inline-block;margin:-60px auto 10px;width:74px;height:74px;border:2px solid #0FAEBF;border-radius:70px;position:relative}a.connect-cta.default span.img-wrap:after{background:#26E707;border:1px solid #fff;-webkit-border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;border-radius:12px;content:\"\";display:block;height:13px;position:absolute;right:0;top:4px;width:13px;-webkit-animation:animation 2s infinite;-moz-animation:animation 2s infinite;-o-animation:animation 2s infinite;animation:animation 2s infinite}a.connect-cta.default img{display:block}a.connect-cta.default p{margin:0 0 15px 0}a.connect-cta.default p:last-child{margin-bottom:0}a.connect-cta.default .button{border:none;border:2px solid #0FAEBF;box-shadow:none;background:#fff;color:#0FAEBF;padding:13px 16px}a.connect-cta.default .button:hover{background:#0FAEBF;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}a.connect-cta.default:hover{color:#383441}a.connect-cta.alt{background-color:#E4F4F6;border:1px solid #0FAEBF;border-radius:4px;font-size:17px;padding:20px 15px;position:relative;display:block;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;margin:40px auto;max-width:710px;text-align:center}a.connect-cta.alt .img-wrap,a.connect-cta.alt p{display:block;position:relative;vertical-align:middle;margin:0 auto 20px;line-height:1.4}a.connect-cta.alt .img-wrap img,a.connect-cta.alt p img{margin:0 auto}a.connect-cta.alt p.connect-btn{margin-right:0}a.connect-cta.alt .chat-available{position:absolute;left:50%;transform:translateX(-50%);bottom:-13px;background:#fff;font-size:12px;padding:5px 20px 5px 5px;border:1px solid #79D1DA;border-radius:60px;line-height:1;font-weight:700}a.connect-cta.alt .chat-available span{position:relative}a.connect-cta.alt .chat-available span:after{background:#26E707;border:1px solid #fff;-webkit-border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;border-radius:12px;content:\"\";display:block;height:8px;position:absolute;right:-13px;top:3px;width:8px;-webkit-animation:animation 2s infinite;-moz-animation:animation 2s infinite;-o-animation:animation 2s infinite;animation:animation 2s infinite}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){a.connect-cta.default{max-width:495px}a.connect-cta.alt{text-align:left;padding-left:40px}a.connect-cta.alt .img-wrap,a.connect-cta.alt p{display:inline-block;margin-right:15px;margin-bottom:0}a.connect-cta.alt p:not(.connect-btn){width:53%}}@-webkit-keyframes animation{0%{background-color:#26E707}50%{background-color:#00B2BF}100%{background-color:#26E707}}@keyframes animation{0%{background-color:#26E707}50%{background-color:#00B2BF}100%{background-color:#26E707}}<\/style><span class=\"img-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/chat-cta-advocate.png\" alt=\"Advocate Avatar\" class=\"connect-cta-avatar\" \/><\/span><p>Speak with our trusted patient advocates to learn about the best treatment options.<\/p>\n<p class=\"connect-btn\"><span class=\"button arrow\">Chat Now<\/span><\/p><div class=\"chat-available\"><span>Available for Chat<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/a>\n<h2 id=\"treatments\">Pleural Effusion Treatments<\/h2>\n<p>Treating pleural effusions is an important part of an overall <a href=\"\/treatment\/\">mesothelioma treatment plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"callout-shortcode\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.callout-shortcode{background:#EDF8F9;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 24px;margin:40px 0;max-width:860px;position:relative}.callout-shortcode:before{content:\" \";position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;width:4px;height:100%;left:0;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0FAEBF 0%, #EDF8F9 100%)}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{color:#100134;font-size:22px;display:block;margin:0 0 15px}.callout-shortcode:first-child{margin-top:0}.callout-shortcode:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:20px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding-top:17px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:74px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{left:22px;position:absolute;top:20px;width:59px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background:#fff url(\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mh-icon-65.png);background-position:center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:70%;border-radius:30px;bottom:-10px;content:\"\";display:block;height:30px;position:absolute;right:-10px;width:30px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.callout-shortcode{padding:25px 25px 25px 34px}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{font-size:24px}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode.has-img{min-height:170px;padding-left:175px}.callout-shortcode.has-img .img-wrap{position:absolute;left:29px;top:25px;width:119px}.callout-shortcode.hope.has-img{padding-left:170px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding:0}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{width:109px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background-size:66%;bottom:-15px;height:42px;width:42px}}<\/style><div class=\"content\"><p>While addressing <strong>pleural effusions will not stop or control the mesothelioma itself<\/strong>, managing this symptom will help make the patient comfortable and improve their quality of life. In other words, treating pleural effusions is part of <a href=\"\/treatment\/palliative\/\">palliative care<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>When doctors treat pleural effusions, they use the thoracentesis technique to drain the excess fluid. A needle is inserted directly into the chest to collect fluid and drain it into a bag. A <a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/thoracentesis\/\">thoracentesis<\/a> is a simple and quick procedure done with a local anesthetic. However, patients will often experience a continued recurrence of pleural effusions.<\/p>\n<p>Rather than having to keep undergoing fluid drainage, doctors may recommend pleurodesis. During <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/treatment\/surgery\/pleurodesis\/\">pleurodesis<\/a>, doctors administer certain types of drugs into the pleura to cause it to become inflamed.<\/p>\n<p>These drugs are known as sclerosing agents and include substances like talc, tetracycline, or doxycycline. These agents deliberately cause scarring and inflammation in the pleural tissues (pleura sclerosis) to close up the pleura and prevent fluid accumulation. However, this is only a short-term solution. Doctors only perform it in certain cases when the patient is healthy enough.<\/p>\n<h2>Getting Personalized Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma<\/h2>\n<p>Ultimately, doctors always remain focused on treating the underlying cause of pleural effusions, which is often pleural mesothelioma. If they can effectively treat mesothelioma using a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, they can also manage symptoms like pleural effusions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Contact a mesothelioma specialist today<\/strong> if you suspect you may have pleural mesothelioma due to signs of effusions.<\/p>\n<p>These specialists are surgical oncologists dedicated to researching and treating malignant mesothelioma and can provide life-extending therapies to many patients.<\/p>\n<p>For more information on working with a mesothelioma specialist, <a href=\"\/about\/contact\/\">contact our Patient Advocates<\/a> or download our <a href=\"\/pleural-guide\/\">Free Mesothelioma Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"faq-wrap\"><h2 class=\"faq-wrap-heading\">Malignant Mesothelioma Pleural Effusion FAQs <\/h2><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"1\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">How long can you live with a pleural effusion?<\/h3><div><p><strong>It depends<\/strong>. Pleural effusions may be caused by a variety of different medical conditions, and your prognosis is determined by what condition you may have.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a pleural effusion caused by an infection may be cleared up with antibiotics. However, pleural effusions caused by cancer may result in a poor prognosis.<\/p>\n<p>Your doctor can help you to determine the underlying cause of your pleural effusion through testing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"2\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">Does mesothelioma cause pleural effusions?<\/h3><div><p><strong>Yes, sometimes<\/strong>. Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs and is the most common type of mesothelioma, can result in a pleural effusion.<\/p>\n<p>In patients with pleural mesothelioma, tumors may accumulate in the pleura and cause inflammation and constriction of the lining.<\/p>\n<p>Added pressure due to inflammation causes pleural blood vessels to leak fluid, which leads to an excess of liquid in the pleura.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"3\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">How many times can you drain a pleural effusion?<\/h3><div><p><strong>Pleural effusions can be drained multiple times a week, <\/strong>or even daily in extreme cases. A physician will recommend how often effusions should be drained.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, draining a pleural effusion is a temporary solution. Doctors will need to treat the underlying cause of the pleural effusion in order to prevent fluid from building up within the pleura.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"How long can you live with a pleural effusion?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It depends&lt;\/strong&gt;. Pleural effusions may be caused by a variety of different medical conditions, and your prognosis is determined by what condition you may have.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;For example, a pleural effusion caused by an infection may be cleared up with antibiotics. However, pleural effusions caused by cancer may result in a poor prognosis.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Your doctor can help you to determine the underlying cause of your pleural effusion through testing.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Does mesothelioma cause pleural effusions?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Yes, sometimes&lt;\/strong&gt;. Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs and is the most common type of mesothelioma, can result in a pleural effusion.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;In patients with pleural mesothelioma, tumors may accumulate in the pleura and cause inflammation and constriction of the lining.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Added pressure due to inflammation causes pleural blood vessels to leak fluid, which leads to an excess of liquid in the pleura.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"How many times can you drain a pleural effusion?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pleural effusions can be drained multiple times a week, &lt;\/strong&gt;or even daily in extreme cases. A physician will recommend how often effusions should be drained.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Unfortunately, draining a pleural effusion is a temporary solution. Doctors will need to treat the underlying cause of the pleural effusion in order to prevent fluid from building up within the pleura.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}}]}<\/script><style type=\"text\/css\">.faq-wrap{background:#E4F4F6;padding:20px 15px;margin:40px -15px}.faq-wrap:first-child{margin-top:0}.faq-wrap:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.faq-wrap .faq{background:#fff;padding:15px;border-radius:10px;box-shadow:0px 20px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.03);margin:15px 0 0 0}.faq-wrap .faq:first-child{margin-top:0}.faq-wrap .faq .faq-heading{color:#100134;font-size:21px;margin-bottom:15px}.faq-wrap .faq p{margin-bottom:20px;line-height:1.5}.faq-wrap .faq p:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more{color:#248AFF;display:block;padding-right:17px;text-align:right;position:relative;line-height:1}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:visited{color:#248AFF}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:visited:hover,.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:hover{color:#34d}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:after{font-family:\"mesohope\" !important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:\"\\e905\";position:absolute;right:0;top:3px}h2.faq-wrap-heading{margin-bottom:25px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.faq-wrap{padding:25px 15px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.faq-wrap{border-radius:10px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding:25px}.faq-wrap .faq{padding:25px}.faq-heading{font-size:24px}}<\/style><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Are Pleural Effusions? A pleural effusion is most accurately defined as\u200b a buildup of fluid between the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity. Effusions are commonly associated with lung cancers. Over 1.5 million people are diagnosed with pleural effusions each year in the United States. Pleural effusions are the most common sign&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":0,"parent":92,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-813","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/813","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=813"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/813\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/92"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}