malignant pleural effusion

Definition / meaning of malignant pleural effusion

A condition in which cancer causes an abnormal amount of fluid to collect between the thin layers of tissue (pleura) lining the outside of the lung and the wall of the chest cavity. Lung cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia cause most malignant pleural effusions.

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Source(s):

The Web site of the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov/)

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