Value of Prostate-Specific Antigen Elevated in Transudative Pleural Effusion for Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer-Induced Paramalignant Pleural Effusion
Abstract
When evaluating pleural effusion of undetermined etiology, malignant disease cannot be ruled out even if the effusion is transudative. Measurement of tumor markers in transudative pleural effusion (TPE) may aid in diagnosis, but the exact utility of these markers is unclear. We report the case of a 78-year-old man with paramalignant pleural effusion (PMPE) due to prostate cancer diagnosed by measuring prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in TPE. Androgen blockade therapy was effective in treating the PMPE. We discuss the value of PSA elevated in TPE for diagnosis of prostate cancer induced-PMPE.
J Med Cases. 2013;4(7):507-510
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jmc1322w