Unusual Presentation of Bilateral Chylothorax and Chylous Ascites with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report

We present a case of a 60-year-old man who presented with dyspnea for 1 week and generalized abdominal distention. He was diagnosed with advanced-stage pancreatic adenocarcinoma and received palliative chemotherapy. On follow-up examination, he showed decreased breathing sounds in both lungs and marked ascites. Chest radiography showed bilateral pleural effusion, which was more prominent in the left hemithorax than the right hemithorax. Thoracocentesis and abdominal paracentesis were performed, and the finding of pleural and ascites fluid was compatible with bilateral chylothorax and chylous ascites. Although the patient was receiving dietary modification, he still required repeated thoracentesis. Bilateral chest tube insertion with medical pleurodesis with talc successfully treated his chylothorax. This treatment should be considered as an option for malignancy-associated chylothorax besides systemic cancer treatment to improve patients ’ quality of life.Case Rep Oncol 2022;15:611 –616
Source: Case Reports in Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research