Can pleural and peritoneal effusion be cured?

In general, whether pleural and peritoneal effusions can be cured mainly depends on the underlying cause. If the effusion is caused by tuberculosis infection, it is usually curable; however, if it results from advanced cancer, it may not be curable. If any discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention is recommended. The details are as follows:

Tuberculosis (TB) infection is a common cause of pleural or peritoneal effusion. When Mycobacterium tuberculosis invades the pleura or peritoneum, it triggers a local inflammatory response, leading to fluid exudation and accumulation within the pleural or peritoneal cavity. Tuberculosis is a treatable disease. With standardized anti-tuberculosis therapy, replication and spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis can be effectively controlled, thereby reducing inflammation and allowing the accumulated fluid to gradually be absorbed or eliminated. Therefore, pleural and peritoneal effusions caused by tuberculosis infection can typically be cured with timely and effective treatment.

In patients with advanced cancer, widespread tumor metastasis and infiltration often damage local tissues and increase vascular permeability, leading to pleural effusion. This type of effusion arises from the combined effects of the tumor itself and multiple pathological changes. Given the high difficulty of treating advanced cancer, poor prognosis, and continuous stimulation of fluid production due to persistent tumor cell proliferation, pleural and peritoneal effusions caused by advanced cancer are generally difficult to cure.

Routine health check-ups, maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in moderate exercise, and avoiding excessive fatigue are recommended in daily life to enhance immune function and reduce the risk of disease.