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Breast cancer complicated by pleural effusion: Patient characteristics and results of surgical management
Author(s) -
Apffelstaedt Justus P.,
van Zyl J. A.,
Muller A. G. S.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.2930580307
Subject(s) - medicine , pleural effusion , breast cancer , cancer , effusion , general surgery , malignant pleural effusion , surgery , gynecology
To evaluate the efficiency of pleurodesis (PD) in the management of symptomatic malignant pleural effusion (PE) in breast cancer, we reviewed 46 patients undergoing 49 PDs. When radiotherapy was part of the initial treatment, 41% of PEs were ipsilateral to the primary, if not, 85% of PEs were ipsilateral ( P < 0.0075). Six percent of patients presented dyspneic with exertion, 32% during daily routine; 61% at rest. All except 1 were improved after PD; 74% had no dyspnea, 23% had exertional dyspnea. PD relieved chest pain in 4 and cough in 5 patients. With 31 Talc/Iodine PDs, 2 mortalities and 2 minor complications occurred. Of 17 tetracycline PDs, 1 was complicated by bronchopleural fistula and 1 failed. 1 Mustine PD was uncomplicated. Survival at 6, 12, and 24 months was 58%, 40%, and 13%, respectively. Primary local radiotherapy may prevent ipsilateral PE. Talc/Iodine and tetracycline PD reliably provide relief from the distressing symptoms of malignant PE. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.