Thoracoscopy under local anesthesia diagnosed carcinomatous pleuritis in a case of recurrent breast cancer 20 years after initial surgery

Background. Pleural fluid tests, such as cytodiagnosis, and thoracoscopy are useful in patients with retention of pleural fluid. Internists can perform thoracoscopy under local anesthesia, and observation and biopsy of lesions significantly increase the rate of diagnosis. Case. A 65-year-old woman had undergone surgery for right breast cancer at the age of 45. She was admitted for a detailed examination due to retention of pleural fluid in the left thoracic region. A pleural fluid test did not lead to a definitive diagnosis, so thoracoscopy was performed under local anesthesia. Recurrent breast cancer-related carcinomatous pleuritis was diagnosed. Conclusion. In this patient, thoracoscopy under local anesthesia diagnosed carcinomatous pleuritis. Case of recurrent breast cancer 20 years after surgery are very rare.