Thoracentesis treatment (lung fluid removal)

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects the linings of the lungs (pleura), lining of the abdomen (the peritoneum), or the lining around the heart (the pericardium). It is strongly linked with asbestos exposure. Normally, the space between the lungs and the lining contains a very small amount of fluid. But tumors such as mesothelioma can cause fluid to build up to much larger amounts. This extra fluid (a pleural effusion) can put pressure on the lungs, causing pleurisy-like chest pain and making it hard to breathe.

Thoracentesis treatment (lung fluid removal) is a procedure doctors use for draining excess lung fluid from the space between the lungs and the chest wall (the pleural space). It can be done as a diagnostic tool—the fluid is tested and your doctor makes a diagnosis—or as a way to relieve chest pain or difficulty breathing.

Your doctor uses a thin needle or tube to withdraw fluid from the pleural space. For a mesothelioma diagnosis, only enough fluid is needed to test for causes. If a great deal of fluid is present and you are uncomfortable, more will be drained to give your lungs more room to expand, which will help you breathe more easily. A simple thoracentesis (lung fluid removal) may take only 10 or 15 minutes. For larger amounts the time will be longer.

The prognosis for this procedure depends on whether any complications arise. Most side effects such as a collapsed lung (pneumothorax), pain, bleeding, bruising, or infection at the site can be addressed immediately and will go away. But the prognosis for longer term survival depends on what stage your mesothelioma is in. Rates of survival for very early detection are more promising. Later-stage mesothelioma has so far resisted all means of intervention and requires care that will help you remain as comfortable as possible.

Ascites fluid
With peritoneal mesothelioma, ascites fluid collects in the abdomen (peritoneal cavity). This fluid results from an increase in sodium and water. Doctors are not absolutely certain why ascites fluid collects—whether it is an effect or a cause of sodium retention. When you are scheduled for thoracentesis treatment (lung fluid removal), your doctor will also check carefully to see if there is any ascites fluid present in addition to that in the pleural effusion.

Peritoneal fluid
In rare cases, ascites—peritoneal fluid—can even leak into the lung area (the pleural space) and cause a pleural effusion. In any case, be sure to talk with your doctor about what thoracentesis treatment (lung fluid removal) can do for your symptoms of mesothelioma. It is a common traditional treatment and may be combined with pleurodesis treatment (a method of closing the pleural space to prevent further buildup of fluid).