Feasibility of Ambulatory Talc. Pleurodesis

Summary

Patients with malignant pleural disease often experience a significant symptom burden and a short life expectancy. The cornerstone of their treatment is relieving breathlessness by draining fluid from around the lungs and attempting to prevent further fluid build up. Inpatient chest drainage and talc pleurodesis remains the most successful method of stopping the fluid build up but this often requires an average hospital stay of four days. This can be an inappropriate length of time for this patient group. Our study would investigate whether this treatment could be provided on an outpatient, ambulatory basis and facilitate a greater quality of life. The investigators would assess deliverability of the trial protocol and collect patient feedback to see if our patients consider it an acceptable and worthwhile intervention.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Malignant pleural effusion
* Life expectancy \>30 days
* WHO PS 1-2 (3 if due to dyspnoea)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous failed pleurodesis (on affected side)
* Known non-expansile lung

Conditions4

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