Global Pleural Effusions Treatment Market - 2025-2033

The global pleural effusions treatment market reached US$ 4.9 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 7.6 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period 2025-2033.

Pleural effusions treatment refers to the medical approaches and procedures aimed at diagnosing, managing and alleviating pleural effusions, a condition characterized by the accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural space (the area between the lungs and the chest wall). Pleural effusions can occur due to a wide range of underlying causes, such as infections, malignancies, heart failure, liver cirrhosis and other systemic or localized diseases. Treatment is designed to relieve symptoms, prevent recurrence and address the underlying cause of the fluid buildup.

The pleural effusions treatment market is experiencing significant demand due to the rising prevalence of conditions that cause pleural effusions, such as heart failure, cancer, infections and respiratory diseases. This demand is driven by an increasing number of patients requiring effective diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to manage pleural effusion and its symptoms. For instance, according to the National Institute of Health, pleural effusion is the most common pleural space disease, affecting 1.5 million patients annually in the United States. These rising prevalence boosts the demand for effective treatment.

Market Dynamics: Drivers & Restraints

Rising therapeutic advancements for pleural effusions

The rising therapeutic advancements for pleural effusions is significantly driving the growth of the pleural effusions treatment market and is expected to drive the market over the forecast period. These advancements primarily include the development of minimally invasive procedures, novel drugs, improved drainage techniques and personalized treatment strategies, all of which have enhanced the effectiveness of treatments, improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. The continuous evolution of therapeutic options is making it easier for healthcare professionals to manage pleural effusions efficiently, leading to a surge in their adoption.

Smart drainage systems and advanced breathing tube placement devices are emerging in the treatment of pleural effusions, providing continuous monitoring and automatic fluid collection. These devices reduce the need for frequent clinical interventions and enable patients to manage their effusions more comfortably.

For instance, in September 2023, Qure.ai announced a pivotal 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its AI-enabled solution, qXR, under two critical findings. Qure's qXR has now been cleared to triage pneumothorax (PTX) and pleural effusion (PE), which present severe challenges in emergency rooms and intensive care units (ICUs). The newest clearance is an addition to Qure's existing FDA-cleared product portfolio that includes qXR-BT for breathing tube placement, qER for emergency room head CT scans, and qER-Quant for head CT quantification software.

The most common procedures used for diagnostic and therapeutic management of pleural effusion is thoracentesis and paracentesis, which involves the removal of pleural fluid. These advancements improved the accuracy of fluid extraction while minimizing complications such as pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and infection. This has become a standard practice in both diagnostic and palliative care for pleural effusions.

For instance, in January 2024, Laborie Medical Technologies, Inc. has released the RenovaRP Centesis System, a new fluid drainage device meant to enhance patient care and healthcare workers' productivity. The RenovaRP Centesis System improves on the existing RenovaRP paracentesis pump by adding an enlarged indication for thoracentesis and redesigning the device's handle and nest to improve the overall user experience. Paracentesis process is crucial for patients suffering from various conditions, including ascites or pleural effusion.

Risk of complications and recurrence

The treatment of pleural effusions, while essential for managing this condition, often faces challenges related to complications and recurrence, which can hamper the overall growth of the pleural effusions treatment Market. These complications and the high risk of fluid reaccumulation pose significant barriers to the effective management of pleural effusions, impacting both patient outcomes and healthcare resources.

Invasive treatments such as thoracentesis, tube thoracostomy and pleurodesis carry inherent risks that can lead to severe complications, including infection, pneumothorax (collapsed lung), bleeding, and pain. The potential for these complications reduces the attractiveness of invasive treatments, leading to a preference for less invasive or conservative management approaches, which could delay or reduce the need for advanced pleural effusion therapies.

Recurrence is one of the major challenges in managing pleural effusions, especially in cases where the underlying cause is not effectively treated or managed. For instance, patients with malignant pleural effusions (MPEs), commonly resulting from lung cancer, breast cancer or mesothelioma, often experience repeated fluid buildup after treatment.

Pleurodesis, although effective in many cases, does not always work as intended. It is particularly challenging in patients with trapped lung, thickened pleura or extensive pleural disease. For patients with malignant pleural effusions, pleurodesis is not always a permanent solution, as tumor progression can lead to fluid reaccumulation, rendering the procedure ineffective.

Segment Analysis

The global pleural effusions treatment market is segmented based on disease type, treatment modality, application, end-user and region.

Disease Type:

The exudative pleural effusions segment is expected to dominate the global pleural effusions treatment market share

Exudative pleural effusions represent a key segment within the pleural effusions treatment market, contributing significantly to its growth. Exudative effusions occur when there is inflammation or injury to the pleura, leading to the leakage of proteins, cells, and other substances into the pleural space. This type of effusion is typically associated with conditions such as lung cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis and heart failure, among others.

Exudative pleural effusions is a most common than transudative pleural effusions, which drives the segment demand for effective treatment. For instance, according to the European Respiratory Society, pleural effusion affects up to 1.5 million people in the United States annually. In this one third of pleural effusions are exudative effusions. Malignant Pleural Effusions (MPE) affects 1,50,000 patients in the United States and 50,000 in the UK each year. In Europe, 100,000 effusions occur each year due to lung cancer alone.

Exudative pleural effusions require more aggressive treatment approaches, especially when caused by malignancy or infection. These treatments often involve thoracentesis, pleurodesis, and indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs). The complexity of managing exudative effusions, particularly in patients with cancer or tuberculosis, has led to the continued demand for effective treatment solutions.

Geographical Analysis

North America is expected to hold a significant position in the global pleural effusions treatment market share

The high incidence of diseases like lung cancer, breast cancer, heart failure, and pneumonia in North America is a major driver of pleural effusion cases. Exudative pleural effusions, which are commonly caused by these conditions, are particularly prevalent in the region. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Pleural effusion affects around 1.5 million individuals in the United States each year. Malignant Pleural Effusions (MPE) affects 150,000 people in the United States. These high malignant pleural effusions burden significantly contributes to the demand for pleural effusion treatments in the region.

There is a high level of awareness regarding pleural effusions and related conditions among healthcare professionals and the general population in North America. This awareness has led to early diagnosis and better access to specialized care, further driving the demand for pleural effusion treatments. For instance, in the U.S., patients often benefit from multidisciplinary treatment approaches involving oncologists, pulmonologists, and cardiologists for conditions that cause pleural effusions, such as lung cancer and heart failure. This holistic approach improves outcomes and drives the need for ongoing therapies, especially for recurrent malignant pleural effusions (MPEs).

Asia Pacific is growing at the fastest pace in the global pleural effusions treatment market share

The increasing adoption of minimally invasive treatments such as thoracentesis, pleurodesis, and indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) is helping to expand the pleural effusion treatment market in Asia-Pacific. These procedures are not only less risky but also offer faster recovery times, which increases patient acceptance and healthcare providers' adoption. For instance, China has witnessed a rise in the use of ultrasound-guided thoracentesis for the diagnosis and management of pleural effusions, which is safer and more efficient than traditional methods. The increasing use of pleurodesis for malignant effusions is also contributing to the region's market growth.

Public health awareness campaigns and better access to diagnostic services have played a significant role in increasing the diagnosis rates of pleural effusions in the APAC region. Early detection of pleural effusions, particularly those associated with lung cancer or tuberculosis, allows for better management and improved patient outcomes. For instance, in Japan, the National Cancer Center provides lung cancer screening programs that help in the early diagnosis of lung cancer and its associated pleural effusions, which has increased demand for pleural effusion treatments.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the pleural effusions treatment market include B. Braun SE, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Bearpac Medical, LLC., Redax S.p.a., Rocket Medical, PFM Medical, Inc., Cook Medical Inc., Boston Medical Products Inc., Pfizer Inc., Grena Limited and among others.

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The global Pleural Effusions Treatment market report delivers a detailed analysis with 70 key tables, more than 66 visually impactful figures, and 146 pages of expert insights, providing a complete view of the market landscape.

Target Audience 2024

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