Chylothorax due to metastatic prostate carcinoma: an unusual complication

Chylothorax, the abnormal accumulation of lymphatic fluid within the pleural space, is an infrequent complication of tumours affecting the mediastinum. The development of chylothorax is extraordinary in association with prostate cancer, although it has been described before. Adequate treatment of malignant chylothorax comprises both a conservative approach, including dietary and hormonal manipulations, and mechanic intercostal drainage that have been demonstrated to be effective in the management of chylothorax of malignant origin. Radiation therapy has been used for the treatment of neoplasic chylothorax but with inconsistent results. We present a new case of chylothorax associated to prostate adenocarcinoma and review the existing evidence for its treatment.