Heterogeneity of cancer stem cell-related marker expression is associated with three-dimensional structures in malignant pleural effusion produced by lung adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: Cancer stem cells have been described in lung adenocarcinoma-associated malignant pleural effusion. They show clinically important features, including the ability to initiate new tumours and resistance to treatments. However, their correlation with the three-dimensional tumour structures in the effusion is not well understood.