CompletedNot Applicable

Pleural Catheters Versus Thoracoscopic Pleurodesis

United States445 participantsStarted 2010-04

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical research study is to compare 2 different methods for treating a pleural effusion. Researchers also want to learn how the treatment you receive effects your quality of life (your ability to do the things you like to do and how happy you feel.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Patients with MPE who are suitable for either pleural catheter placement or thoracoscopic pleurodesis who subsequently have either procedure performed
. Sufficient mental capacity to answer SF-6D and Borg score questions
. Age 18 or older
. Life expectancy \> 2 months
. English or Spanish speaking

Exclusion criteria

. Patients undergoing pleurodesis for benign disease (e.g., spontaneous pneumothorax)
. Inability or unwillingness to give informed consent
. Inability to perform phone call follow-up
. Pregnancy
. Previous intrapleural therapy for MPE
. Prior radiation therapy encompassing the entire hemithorax
. Chylous effusions associated with malignant disease

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Quality-Adjusted Survival Times

Timeframe: 12 Months with follow up until death or recurrence

Trial details

NCT IDNCT01117740

SponsorM.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2016-04

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