Why do lung cancer patients have chest effusion

The main causes of chest effusion in patients with lung cancer are reactive pleural effusion and malignant pleural effusion caused by pleural metastasis.

1. Reactive pleural effusion: The pleura is a very sensitive organ with rich blood and lymphatic circulation. When there is a lesion in the lungs, the pleura will react first and produce effusion. This effusion is a self-protection reaction of the body, trying to reduce inflammation and irritation through effusion. However, this effusion will cause discomfort to the patient, such as chest tightness and difficulty breathing.

2. Malignant pleural effusion caused by pleural metastasis: When lung cancer cells spread to the pleura, it will lead to the formation of malignant pleural effusion. This effusion will not only increase the patient's pain, but also make breathing more difficult. The appearance of malignant pleural effusion is usually a serious signal, indicating that the disease has progressed to a later stage. At this time, the doctor will recommend an examination of the pleural effusion to determine the nature of the effusion and the pathological diagnosis.

3. Lymphatic system obstruction: Lung cancer cells may block the lymphatic system, causing lymph fluid to be unable to return normally. This obstruction will cause fluid to accumulate in the chest cavity, forming pleural effusion. The obstruction of the lymphatic system will not only aggravate chest discomfort, but may also cause systemic edema.

4. Blood circulation disorder: The blood circulation of lung cancer patients may be affected by cancer cells, resulting in poor blood flow. This situation can also cause fluid to seep into the chest cavity and form effusion. Blood circulation disorder not only increases the risk of pleural effusion, but may also cause other systemic health problems.

5. Inflammatory response: The inflammatory response caused by lung cancer can also lead to the formation of pleural effusion. The inflammatory response will cause the pleura to produce more fluid in an attempt to relieve the damage caused by inflammation. Although this response is the body's self-protection mechanism, excessive effusion can cause patients to feel chest tightness and difficulty breathing.

For lung cancer patients, pleural effusion is a common but serious complication. Timely detection and treatment of pleural effusion is very important for improving the patient's quality of life and prolonging survival. Doctors usually perform thoracentesis or drainage to relieve the discomfort caused by effusion, and perform pathological examination to determine the nature and cause of the effusion.

In daily care, lung cancer patients should pay attention to keeping their airways open, avoiding infection, and performing regular chest examinations. Once uncomfortable symptoms such as chest tightness and dyspnea occur, they should seek medical attention in a timely manner to avoid further aggravation of the condition by pleural effusion. Through comprehensive treatment and scientific care, many patients can effectively relieve the discomfort caused by pleural effusion and improve their quality of life.