Open AccessImpact of Chemical Pleurodesis used in the Management of Malignant Pleural Effusion at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Author(s) -
Ahmed A. Aljohaney
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
saudi journal of internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1658-5763
pISSN - 1658-7367
DOI - 10.32790/sjim.3.1.4
Subject(s) - medicine , bleomycin , pleurodesis , malignant pleural effusion , pleural effusion , effusion , surgery , demographics , lung cancer , chemotherapy , demography , sociology
Background: Chemical pleurodesis is a widely accepted management strategy for preventing re-accumulation of a malignant pleural effusion; intrapleural bleomycin can be used for this purpose.
Objective: To review the experience with chemical pleurodesis involving bleomycin at our institution.
Design: Retrospective analysis of all patients who received bleomycin for chemical pleurodesis over 6 years (May 2006 to April 2012) at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Patient demographics, cancer type, and pertinent data were analyzed.
Results: The most common cancer-causing malignant pleural effusion was breast cancer (32% of cases). Bleomycin was effective for pleurodesis induction, with a success rate of 85% at 30 days and 55% at 90 days and only a few adverse effects.
Conclusion: At our institution, the efficacy of bleomycin for induction of chemical pleurodesis was similar to published studies. Implementation of a management algorithm is required to further improve outcomes in patients with malignant pleural effusion.