May Biochemical Variables and Pleural Fluid Cell Count Be Used in the Benign- Malign Differentiation of Pleural Effusions Associated with Lung Cancer?

Pleural effusion is a common clinical problem that can occur due to systemic, pulmonary, and pleural pathologies (1). Evaluation of effusion in terms of transudate-exudate helps to differentiate systemic and pulmonary causes. The effusion in the form of transudate is often formed due to systemic causes such as congestive heart failure and liver cirrhosis, while the effusion in the form of exudate can occur during the course of both malignant and benign lung diseases. Approximately 42-72% of all exudative effusions develop secondary to malignant diseases (2,3). All cancers, especially lung cancers, metastasize to pleura and can cause effusion formation. In the initial evaluation of patients with lung cancer, pleural effusion is present in approximately 15% of the patients. During the course of the disease, in 50% of the patients with diffuse lung cancer, pleural effusion develops (4). ABSTRACT