Experiences in the treatment of refractory chylothorax associated with lymphoproliferative disorders

Jana Pospiskova,
Lukas Smolej,
David Belada,
Martin Simkovic,
Monika Motyckova,
Alice Sykorova,
Pavla Stepankova and
Pavel ZakEmail author View ORCID ID profile

Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases201914:9

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-018-0991-3

Received: 28 August 2018
Accepted: 28 December 2018
Published: 9 January 2019

Abstract

Background

Chylothorax is a rare condition which can be associated with malignant lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs). We retrospectively analyzed the results of the conservative treatment of 10 patients with persistent non-traumatic malignant chylothorax.

Results

Conservative treatment lead to a decline of chylothorax after mean of 66 days and consisted of the treatment of the underlying disease and of simultaneous long-term supportive care (drainage of the thoracic cavity, dietary measures and nutrition management). In most cases (80%), chylothorax disappeared only after a successful therapeutic response of the underlying disease. Low-dose radiotherapy had very good effects in two patients.

Conclusion

Conservative treatment of malignant chylothorax can be considered a suitable method. Based on our results, successful treatment of the lymphoproliferative disorder seems to be a very important factor for the disappearance of chylothorax.