The Cardiovascular
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LENT score for malignant pleural effusion

Survival stratification in malignant pleural effusion.

LENT score for malignant pleural effusion
Pleural fluid LDH
ECOG performance status
Serum neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio
Tumour type
Result0 points

Low risk; median survival ~319 days in the derivation cohort.

Risk group
Low risk
Median survival
~319 days

When to use

  • Prognostication and treatment planning (e.g. indwelling catheter vs pleurodesis) in malignant pleural effusion.

Formula

Sum of LDH (0-1), ECOG PS (0-3), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (0-1) and tumour type (0-2). Low 0-1, moderate 2-4, high 5-7.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • High-risk patients have poor short-term survival and may be better served by definitive drainage than by pleurodesis.

References

  1. Clive AO, et al. Thorax. 2014;69(12):1098-104.