Intrapleural Chemotherapy with Cisplatin and Cytarabine in the Management of Malignant Pleural Effusion / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intrapleural chemotherapy (IPC) with cisplatin and cytarabine in the management of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) from non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective analysis was carried out on 40 patients with pathologically proven MPE from NSCLC who had received IPC. A single dose of cisplatin 100 mg/m2 plus cytarabine 1200 mg/m2 in 250 ml normal saline was instilled into the pleural space via a chest tube and drained 4 hours later. Patients were evaluated for toxicities and responses at 1, 2, & 3 weeks and then at monthly intervals if possible. Systemic chemotherapy was administered, if the patient agreed to receive it, after achieving complete control (CC) of MPE. RESULTS: The median duration of chest tube insertion for drainage was 7 (3~32) days. Among the assessable 37 patients, CC and partial control (PC) were 32 (86.5%) and 4 (10.8%) patients, respectively (overall response rate 97.3%). The median duration of response was 12 months (2~23) and there were only two relapses of IPC after achieving CC. Among the 35 patients who were assessable until they died, 28 patients (80.0%) maintained CC until the last follow-up. There was only one toxic death and the toxicities of IPC, versus the results obtained, were deemed acceptable. CONCLUSION: The procedures were tolerable to the patients and chemotherapy-induced complications were at an acceptable level. The outcome of this trial indicates that IPC has a superior and long lasting treatment response in the management of patients with MPE from NSCLC.