Intrapleural palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusions with mitoxantrone versus placebo (pleural tube alone).

Abstract

From 11/87 until 7/90 103 patients entered a prospective randomized trial on the treatment of malignant pleural effusions (MPE) with intrapleural mitoxantrone versus placebo (pleural tube alone with instillation of isotonic NaCl). Our data suggest no statistically significant difference between the two arms with respect to response and response duration. There is no influence on survival time. The toxicity is moderate, with only fever occurring more often in the mitoxantrone arm. We recommend performance of pleurodesis in patients with MPE first by sufficient drainage with a tube of 16-20 char. Only in instances of failure it is necessary to add sclerosing agents such as tetracycline, etc.

• Authors: G Groth, U Gatzemeier, K Häussingen, M Heckmayr, H Magnussen, R Neuhauss, J V Pavel
• Journal: Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology (Ann Oncol) Vol. 2 Issue 3 Pg. 213-5 (Mar 1991) ISSN: 0923-7534 [Print] England
• PMID: 1710483 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Mitoxantrone

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mitoxantrone (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Neoplasms (complications, drug therapy, mortality)
• Palliative Care
• Pleural Effusion (drug therapy, etiology)
• Prospective Studies
• Recurrence
• Remission Induction
• Survival Rate