Which of the following is a symptom of malignant pericardial effusion?

• A. Chronic Cough
• B. Hypertension
• C. Chest Pain
• D. Headache

Answer: (C)

Malignant pericardial effusion involves fluid buildup around the heart from cancer, which irritates the pericardium and can cause symptoms associated with pericardial inflammation. Chest pain is the best match among the options because irritation of the pericardial layers often produces chest discomfort that can be sharp or pleuritic and may be felt with breathing or movement. In more severe cases, the growing fluid can lead to tamponade, bringing other signs like shortness of breath or low blood pressure, but chest pain remains a classic presenting symptom of pericardial involvement.

Chronic cough can occur with lung involvement or metastasis but is not specific to pericardial effusion. Hypertension is not a typical symptom of malignant pericardial effusion, and headache is not related to the pericardial process.