Pleural effusion

A pleural effusion is an abnormal collection of fluid between the thin layers of tissue (pleura) lining the lung and the wall of the chest cavity. Malignant pleural effusions are very, very bad. Ma's PE showed up in her x-ray and PET scan. 600ml was drained from her lung. I don't know if it means anything, but the affected lung is contralateral (on the opposite side of the body) to her tumor. She also was asymptomatic. She felt no difference after the fluid was drained.