Postoperative Pleural Effusion in Bronchioloalveolar Cancer

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma occasionally presents with bronchorrhea and can appear on roentgenogram as cavitary lesions similar to a lung abscess. We present a case of multifocal, cavitary bronchioloalveolar cancer, which was originally treated unsuccessfully as lung abscesses. At surgery, two cavities were identified without evidence of tumor or chronic infection and were left open. The postoperative course was complicated by 5 weeks of massive chest tube drainage, which was finally controlled with radiation and time. This report chronicles our difficulty with diagnosis and management and suggests recommendations for future providers.