The role and importance of pericardial effusions in the diagnosis of malignancy

Tülay Koç; Nisa Begüm Öztürk; Ersin Tuncer; Anıl Şahin

doi:10.17944/interdiscip.1820578

The role and importance of pericardial effusions in the diagnosis of malignancy

Abstract

Objective: Pericardial effusion is a clinical condition characterized by the pathological accumulation of fluid within the pericardial cavity. It may develop secondary to cardiac, infectious, autoimmune, traumatic, or neoplastic processes. Malignancy-related effusions, particularly in patients with advanced-stage cancer, may cause significant morbidity and mortality. Cytological examination of pericardial fluid is an effective and minimally invasive diagnostic method for differentiating malignant from benign etiologies. In this study, it was aimed to retrospectively evaluate the cytological findings of pericardial effusion samples obtained by pericardiocentesis and to determine the malignancy rate. Method: This retrospective study included 26 patients who underwent pericardiocentesis at the Cardiology Clinic of Sivas Cumhuriyet University between January 2019 and September 2022. Cytological smears were stained with Papanicolaou and Giemsa methods. The cases were categorized as benign/reactive, malignant, suspicious for malignancy, or non-diagnostic. When necessary, cell blocks were prepared, and immunohistochemical analyses using markers such as TTF-1 and GATA-3 were performed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 58.5 years; 17 (65.4%) were female and 9 (34.6%) were male. Cytological evaluation revealed 13 (50%) benign/reactive, 6 (23%) malignant, 6 (23%) suspicious for malignancy, and 1 (4%) non-diagnostic cases. All malignant effusions were metastatic in origin, most frequently lung adenocarcinoma, followed by breast carcinoma and lymphoma. Conclusion: Pericardial fluid cytology is an effective method for detecting malignancy in patients with pericardial effusion. Cell block and immunohistochemical analyses improved diagnostic accuracy. Despite the study’s limited sample size, the findings underscore the importance of cytological evaluation in guiding the diagnosis and management of pericardial effusions.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

No

Ethical Statement

This retrospective study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Sivas Cumhuriyet University (Approval Date: 19.10.2022, Approval Number: 01).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Services and Systems (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Tülay Koç ^*
0000-0001-8612-0238
Türkiye

Nisa Begüm Öztürk
0000-0001-8614-271X
Türkiye

Ersin Tuncer
0000-0002-7150-8835
Türkiye

Anıl Şahin
0000-0003-1956-2348
Türkiye

Publication Date

August 23, 2026

Submission Date

November 9, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 2, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: 58

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17944/interdiscip.1820578

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA79MA57AZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Koç, T., Öztürk, N. B., Tuncer, E., & Şahin, A. (2026). The role and importance of pericardial effusions in the diagnosis of malignancy. Interdisciplinary Medical Journal, 17(58), 166-171. https://doi.org/10.17944/interdiscip.1820578

AMA

1.Koç T, Öztürk NB, Tuncer E, Şahin A. The role and importance of pericardial effusions in the diagnosis of malignancy. Interdiscip Med J. 2026;17(58):166-171. doi:10.17944/interdiscip.1820578

Chicago

Koç, Tülay, Nisa Begüm Öztürk, Ersin Tuncer, and Anıl Şahin. 2026. “The Role and Importance of Pericardial Effusions in the Diagnosis of Malignancy”. Interdisciplinary Medical Journal 17 (58): 166-71. https://doi.org/10.17944/interdiscip.1820578.

EndNote

Koç T, Öztürk NB, Tuncer E, Şahin A (August 1, 2026) The role and importance of pericardial effusions in the diagnosis of malignancy. Interdisciplinary Medical Journal 17 58 166–171.

IEEE

[1]T. Koç, N. B. Öztürk, E. Tuncer, and A. Şahin, “The role and importance of pericardial effusions in the diagnosis of malignancy”, Interdiscip Med J, vol. 17, no. 58, pp. 166–171, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.17944/interdiscip.1820578.

ISNAD

Koç, Tülay - Öztürk, Nisa Begüm - Tuncer, Ersin - Şahin, Anıl. “The Role and Importance of Pericardial Effusions in the Diagnosis of Malignancy”. Interdisciplinary Medical Journal 17/58 (August 1, 2026): 166-171. https://doi.org/10.17944/interdiscip.1820578.

JAMA

1.Koç T, Öztürk NB, Tuncer E, Şahin A. The role and importance of pericardial effusions in the diagnosis of malignancy. Interdiscip Med J. 2026;17:166–171.

MLA

Koç, Tülay, et al. “The Role and Importance of Pericardial Effusions in the Diagnosis of Malignancy”. Interdisciplinary Medical Journal, vol. 17, no. 58, Aug. 2026, pp. 166-71, doi:10.17944/interdiscip.1820578.

Vancouver

1.Tülay Koç, Nisa Begüm Öztürk, Ersin Tuncer, Anıl Şahin. The role and importance of pericardial effusions in the diagnosis of malignancy. Interdiscip Med J. 2026 Aug. 1;17(58):166-71. doi:10.17944/interdiscip.1820578