Can EGFR-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI) Alone Without Talc Pleurodesis Prevent Recurrence of Malignant Pleural Effusion (MPE) in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Abstract

In TKI eligible patients, early talc pleurodesis may not confer additional benefit in preventing re-accumulation of pleural effusion and may be reserved for non-adenocarcinoma histology, or EGFR negative adenocarcinoma. Complete opacification of the hemithorax on presentation may serve as an early radiographic signal of positive EGFR mutation status.