ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the recent effects and toxicity of thermochemotherapy on malignant hydrothorax or hydroperitoneum,to evaluate the changes of the immunological functions,and to investigate the mechanism of thermochemotherapy.Methods:Fifty-two patients were treated with weekly intracavitary chemotherapy,and then combined with local endogenetic thermotherapy twice a week.As the control,another 50 patients received weekly intracavitary chemotherapy.The treatment lasted for two weeks and was followed by one-week rest,and then the recent effects and toxicity were observed.The T cell subset,NK cells and VEGF levels in serum,hydrothorax or hydroperitoneum were tested.Results:Overall response rates of the malignant hydrothorax were 86.9% vs 60.0%(P