Local treatment of malignant pleural effusion in gynecologic tumors

Pleural effusions are a frequent complication of malignant gynecologic diseases, especially in breast cancer with an incidence of about 50%. Pleural effusions usually occur at a stage of the disease where no further curative therapeutic options exist. Therefore, the treatment should be effective and have a low side effect profile. The intrapleural administration of mitoxantrone in comparison with other pleurodesis techniques has been demonstrated to meet these requirements.