HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Are all pleural effusion from stage 4 lung cancer malignant?

9 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Michael Gabor answered

Specializes in Diagnostic Radiology

No,: there are many other potential causes of pleural effusion.

Dr Chuu agreed

Answered 11/28/2017

519 views

Thank

Confusing: Question. Pleural effusions from lung cancer are expected to have malignant cells but could be pneumonic from secondary infections.

Dr Dosanjh and 6 doctors agreed

Answered 11/28/2017

519 views

Thank
Show 1 more comment

Related Questions

A member asked:

When I take a deep breath, I hear a gurgling sound in my chest. No pain or other symptoms, just the gurgling. What can be causing this? Does this sound worrisome, like pleural effusion/lung cancer?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Can someone explain how primary lung Cancer causes SOB? Is it purely structural causes like pleural effusion/tumor invading airway? Or other ways?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Is massive pleural effusion in one lung high risk for mastectomy for breast cancer?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

My father 70+ had VATS lobectomy 1 yr ago due to stg 1 lung cancer. X-ray taken today however revealed pleural effusion. Anything to worry?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Reoccurring pleural effusion. 800 mlFluid drained left lung twice in 5 weeks. White count up. Wheezing, short breath. No cancer. Liver good. Heart good. Lung part collapsed. No fever no cough. ?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

My mother, 77, was recently diagnosed w Stage IV lung cancer w malignant pleural effusion. She started spitting up yellow bile. Is it spreading?
Pleural effusion in a pt with lung cancer. Do you drain it?
When am opacity in the lung, does "no focal consolidation and no pleural effusion" in xray rule out cancer?
A nodular opacity was found two months ago, follow up x-ray says lungs are clear of focal consolidation. There is no pneumothorax. No pleural effusion. right suprahilar opacity is noted reproduced on the current radiograph, does this rule out cancer?
Is it possible that CT scan shows no pleural masses while I have lung cancer and massive effusion?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.