Survival time of patients with pulmonary effusion is related to their primary diseases, common such as tuberculous pleurisy, pneumonia, etc., generally active treatment, does not affect the life expectancy; malignant pleural effusion suggests advanced stage of the tumor, lung malignant tumors in advanced stages of the 5-year survival rate of about 5%, the specific survival time can not be generalized. 1. Tuberculous pleurisy: complications caused by tuberculosis invading into the pleura, generally does not affect the life expectancy, the treatment time needs more than 1 year. 2. Pneumonia and pyothorax: caused by pneumonia, lung abscess and bronchial infection, usually timely treatment does not affect life expectancy. 3. Malignant pleural effusion: mainly caused by malignant tumors, if malignant pleural effusion occurs, it means that the tumor enters into the advanced stage, usually the prognosis is poor, when the effusion is more serious, it can affect the respiration, and the survival time can be prolonged and the quality of life can be improved through active treatment. Patients with pleural effusion should go to the hospital in time for consultation and symptomatic treatment after clarifying the cause of the disease.