Dtsch Arztebl Int
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40 000 to 60 000 people develop malignant pleural effusion (MPE) in Germany each year. The most common causes are lung cancer and breast cancer. Patients with pleural carcinomatosis have a median survival time of four months. ⋯ The indication for either IPC or TP needs to be determined individually for each patient on the basis of his or her general condition, symptoms, clinical situation ("trapped lung"), and prognosis.