Intrapleural bleomycin in the management of malignant pleural effusion

This retrospective study included 20 patients with malignant pleural effusion [MPEs], from breast and bronchogenic carcinoma who attended at NEMROCK over one-year period [1995-1996]. All patients underwent simple aspiration followed by intrapleural instillation of 60 mg bleomycine dissolved in 100 ml saline that would be repeated 2-3 times. The overall response rate was 70%. 60% had complete remission, no response was observed in 30% of the cases. The procedure is convenient and safe with low toxicity, requiring no hospitalization and can be given to immunocompromised patients and those who are under systemic chemotherapy