pleurodesis

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This is a type of surgery. It gets rid of the open space between the lung and the chest cavity. This is done to stop fluid from building up in this space. When cancer cells are growing in this space, they make fluid that can collect and cause difficulty breathing. During this surgery, a chemical is placed in the space. Your body's reaction to the chemical causes the lining around the lung to stick to the inside lining of the chest wall. This can cause pain for several days. Be sure to ask for pain medication to get you through it.

Read about pleurodesis to help with metastatic cancer.

Audio contributed by: Amy Jo Johnson