The effects of various treatments of malignant pleural effusion were evaluated in 60 primary lung cancer patients and 22 non-lung cancer patients.By the thoracentesis or tube thoracostomy with local instillation of anticancer agents, pleural effusion was effectively controlled in 12 out of 39 cases (30%).By the instillation of radioactive isotope
198 Au, it was controlled in 14 out of 30 cases (47%).By the
60Co irradiation to tumor area or mediastinal lesion, it was controlled in 8 out of 13 cases (62%).By the instillation of BB solution (extracts of eight kinds of bacterias) or talk poudrage, it was controlled in 10 out of 13 cases (77%).
The median survival from the time of starting the treatment of malignant pleural effusion was measured in 34 cases out of 60 primary lung cancer patients.
The median survival was 5.5 months in 12 cases with not-decreased pleural effusion, and 10 months in 22 cases with decreased or disappeared pleural effusion.
By the stage classification of Japan Lung Cancer Society, 34 primary lung cancer patients were divided.In 20 stage HI patients, the median survival was 6 months in 4 cases with not-decreased pleural effusion, and 11.6 months in 16 cases with decreased or disappeared pleural effusion.On the other hand, in 14 stage N patients, the median survival was 4.8 motnhs in 8 cases with not-decreased pleural effusion, and 5.5 months in 6 cases with decreased or disappeared pleural effusion.
In stage DI, it is expected that control of malignant pleural effusion can prolong the survival.
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