Malignant pericardial effusions occur in less than 5% of patients with cancer, and are most commonly due to malignant infiltration; other causes include radiotherapy, uremia, and infection.
Cancer can involve the pericardium by direct extension, retrograde lymphatic infiltration, or hematogenous spread.
Lymphatic obstruction in the mediastinum can also lead to the development of a pericardial effusion.
Lung and breast cancers and the hematological malignancies account for 75% of malignant pericardial effusions.
Radiotherapy may cause pericardial effusion either as an acute (weeks/months) or late (years) adverse effect; the latter is often accompanied by signs of pericardial constriction.
- Malignant infiltration
- Mediastinal lymphatic obstruction
- Radiation
acute pericarditis
late pericardial effusion ± constriction
- Uremia
- Infection
The clinical features depend on the volume of pericardial fluid, the rate of accumulation, and the underlying cardiac function. The pericardium normally contains less than 50 mL of fluid, but may accommodate several hundred milliliters if the accumulation is slow. If the increase is rapid, serious symptoms and signs can develop with small changes in the pericardial fluid volume. Pericardial tamponade exists when the amount of fluid present is sufficient to cause significant impairment of cardiac function.
Woodruff R. Palliative medicine evidence-based symptomatic and supportive care for patients with advanced cancer. 4th ed. Oxford University Press, 2004. p. 300.