Does abnormal cytology predict poor prognosis in cancer patients with pericardial effusion?
Abnormal fluid cytology is a marker of poor survival in cancer patients with pericardial effusion, which may have important implications for clinical management.
Malignancy is the most common cause of pericardial effusion in a tertiary care center. Cancer-related pericardial effusion is associated with adverse outcomes, and abnormal cytology further worsens prognosis. The poor survival among cancer patients with pericardial effusion and abnormal fluid cytology may have important implications for management.
Gornik et al. (2005) studied this question.