Pleural effusions associated with malignancy (either malignant or para
malignant) pose diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas for the clinician,
This article reviews the common causes of malignant and paramalignant
pleural effusions, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, chest radiogr
aphy, pleural fluid characteristics, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatme
nt, Talc, used either by poudrage or slurry, is the most effective age
nt used for pleurodesis, Talc, which needs to be sterilized, has no cl
inically important immediate, short-term or long-term adverse effects.