Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: RESULTS: Nineteen (38%) cases were males and 31 (62%) were females. The mean age of these patients was 60.3±15.8 years (range=31 to 85 years). The majority of patients had breast cancer and lung adenocarcinoma. The mean volume of pleural fluid drained was 2282±848.69(cc) (range 800-4500 (cc)). Pleural effusion was mild in 2 (4%) patients, moderate in 25 (50%) and severe in 23 (46%). There was no statistically significant difference between the response to treatment and the amount of effusion (p=.087). Complete response was seen in 33 (66%) patients, partial response in 11 (22%) and failure to treatment in 6 (12%). There was no relationship between the response to treatment and tumor type. There was not any complication in 33 (66%) patients, but fever was seen in 2 (4%) and chest pain in 7 (14%) and both of them in 8 (16%). CONCLUSION: The results show that pleurodesis with bleomycin has improved the symptoms of 88 percent of patients without causing any significant complications. Although pleurodesis does not have any effect on patients' survival, it has positive impact on their lives continuously by enhancing the quality of life.
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Authors | Novin Nikbakhsh, Ali Pourhasan Amiri, Danial Hoseinzadeh |
Journal | Caspian journal of internal medicine
(Caspian J Intern Med)
Vol. 2
Issue 3
Pg. 274-8
( 2011)
ISSN: 2008-6164 [Print] Iran |
PMID | 24049586
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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