Long-term indwelling pleural catheter (PleurX) for malignant pleural effusion unsuitable for talc pleurodesis

Aims

Talc pleurodesis using talc slurry via chest tube is a primary option in malignant pleural effusion, since life expectancy is short and surgical decortication is hazardous. Incomplete lung expansion after fluid evacuation, and/or excessive fluid secretion predicts failure of pleurodesis. A mini-invasive alternative was investigated.

Methods

Between March 2004 and September 2005, 51 consecutive patients with malignant pleural effusion, and clinically considered unsuitable for talc pleurodesis, received an indwelling pleural catheter (Denver PleurX). In 47, implantation was done bedside using local anaesthesia. There were 24 men and 27 women, median age 63 (range 36–85) years, receiving 39 right side, 10 left side, and 2 bilateral catheters. There were 19 non-small cell lung cancer cases, 7 mesothelioma, and 25 with other malignancy. Chemotherapy was being given to 18 patients and was not interrupted.

Results

Discharge to home was possible in 71% (36 of 71 patients) on the following day. At 2 years follow-up in September 2007, one patient was alive. Mean survival was 3 months (range 5 days to 37+ months) for all patients, with best median survivals of 5.5–6 months in breast and ovarian cancer. Catheter was removed or replaced in 15% (8 of 51 patients) due to infection, air leak, or blockage. One patient requested decortication for excessive fluid secretion. None required surgery or died due to catheter-related complications. Pleural fusion with subsequent catheter removal was achieved in 21% (11 of 51 patients).

Conclusions

An indwelling pleural catheter is a safe alternative for patients with malignant pleural effusion unsuitable for talc pleurodesis. In some, pleural fusion may be achieved.     

Pleuritis carcinomatosa

The most used standard therapy for malignant pleural effusion(MPE)is tube thoracostomy drainage, except in cases where there are few pleural effusions or no symptoms. It has been reported that instilling an intrapleural agent is necessary for producing pleurodesis after tube thoracostomy drainage. To date, numerous chemical agents for the treatment of MPE have been studied. These include antibiotics, antineoplastic agents, biological response modifiers and others, that showed various degrees of chemical sclerosis. It was entered on a randomized comparison of tetracycline and bleomycin for treatment of MPE. The rate and time to recurrence were both significantly greater with bleomycin. In comparison, Talc was superior to bleomycin for control of MPE. Therefore, thoracoscopic pleurodesis with talc is now considered to be the gold standard treatment for MPE. However, talc has not been commercially available in Japan. We sought to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of three intrapleural therapy regimens consisting of bleomycin, OK-432 or cisplatin plus etoposide(PE), for the management of malignant pleural effusion in previously untreated non-small cell lung cancer. The primary endpoint, pleural progression-free survival did not differ significantly between groups. Intrapleural treatment using OK-432 in the management of MPE was selected because it had the highest 4-week pleural progression-free survival rate and toxicity was tolerable. At present, OK- 432 is the standard agent used in Japan.     

A randomized comparison of indwelling pleural catheter and doxycycline pleurodesis in the management of malignant pleural effusions

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of a chronic indwelling pleural catheter with doxycycline pleurodesis via tube thoracostomy in the treatment of patients with recurrent symptomatic malignant pleural effusions (MPE). METHODS: In this multi-institutional study conducted between March 1994 and February 1997, 144 patients (61 men and 83 women) were randomized in a 2:1 distribution to either an indwelling pleural catheter or doxycycline pleurodesis. Patients receiving the indwelling catheter drained their effusions via vacuum bottles every other day or as needed for relief of dyspnea. RESULTS: The median hospitalization time was 1.0 day for the catheter group and 6.5 days for the doxycycline group. The degree of symptomatic improvement in dyspnea and the quality of life was comparable in each group. Six of 28 patients who received doxycycline (21%) had a late recurrence of pleural effusion, whereas 12 of 91 patients who had an indwelling catheter (13%) had a late recurrence of their effusions or a blockage of their catheter after the initially successful treatment (P = 0.446). Of the 91 patients sent home with the pleural catheter, 42 (46%) achieved spontaneous pleurodesis at a median of 26.5 days. CONCLUSIONS: A chronic indwelling pleural catheter is an effective treatment for the management of patients with symptomatic, recurrent, malignant pleural effusions. When compared with doxycycline pleurodesis via tube thoracostomy, the pleural catheter requires a shorter hospitalization and can be placed and managed on an outpatient basis.     

Multidisciplinary management of malignant pleural effusion

Approximately 50% of patients with metastatic disease develop a malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Prompt clinical evaluation and treatment to achieve successful palliation are the main goals of management of MPE. Optimal treatment is still controversial and there is no universal standard approach. Management options include observation, thoracentesis, indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) or chest tube placement, pleurodesis, and surgical pleurectomy. The treatment for each patient should be based on symptoms, general condition, and life expectancy.     

Home-management of malignant pleural effusion with an indwelling pleural catheter: Ten years experience

Background

More than one half of patients with cancer have a malignant pleural effusion (MPE) at some time during their life span. Recurrent malignant pleural effusions impair respiratory functions and worsen the quality of life. Once a patient develops MPE, only fluid drainage relieves pulmonary compression and dyspnea. Optimal treatment is however, still controversial. In patients not suitable for pleurodesis, or with recurrent MPE after pleurodesis, or with trapped lung, the outpatient intermittent drainage through a subcutaneous tunneled indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) is a possible choice.

Methods

In ten years, we treated 90 patients by outpatient insertion of IPC. Eligibility for IPC required previous thoracentesis with histological confirmation of malignancy and chest roentgenogram evidence of effusion. All patients treated were made aware of their malignancy and positive cytology in the pleural effusion.

Results

Mean survival was 197 days (range 23–296 days). Median time of draining interval was 7.0 days with maximum amount of effusion drained off being 1000 ml. Pleurodesis occurred in 37 (41.1%) patients with a mean time of pleurodesis of 51 days (range 34–78 days). No major complication was recorded.

Conclusions

The IPC is a useful device in the management of recurrent MPE. Treatment can be entirely accomplished at home and the complication rate is low.     

Long-term effect and tolerance of talc slurry for control of malignant pleural effusions

Drainage of malignant pleural effusions (MPE) by thoracocenthesis and subsequent pleurodesis is an established means of symptomatic relief in terminally-ill patients, but the optimal therapy remains unclear. Among many sclerosing agent, talc is the most widely used, but its intrapleural administration and dosage have not been clearly determined. To assess the efficacy of using talc slurry with high dose (8 g) as a sclerosing agent instilled into the pleural space at the patient bedside, we carried out a study in 31 patients suffering from symptomatic MPE, followed until death or up to 1 year with radiographs. Patients were evaluated for immediate tolerance (31 patients), and for efficacy and long-term tolerance (27 patients) of the talc therapy. We have shown, that pleurodesis was satisfactory in 22/27 patients (81.4%). This result appeared comparable with other series. Moreover, we observed a long-lasting efficacy: within 6 months and within 12 months after talc instillations, 20/20 patients and 9/9 patients respectively were symphysed with efficacy. Complications related to talc (8 g) were rare and moderate (pain, fever). Taking into account some technical aspects of talc instillation for good performance of the therapy, we recommend this method as the optimal route of administration.     

Distribution of talc suspension during treatment of malignant pleural effusion with talc pleurodesis

Talc pleurodesis is an effective technique for the management of symptomatic malignant pleural effusions. It is assumed that a good dispersion of talc suspension contributes to the final success of this treatment. For this purpose, guidelines often advise to rotate the patient after intra-pleural instillation of the sclerosant. This prospective, randomized study analyses the dispersion of talc suspension and the overall success rate in patients with malignant effusions. After instillation of 99mTc-sestamibi-labeled talc suspension ten subjects were rotated for 1 h, while the ten other patients remained in a stable supine body position. Scintigraphic imaging was done in two directions immediately after instillation and after 1 h with a clamped drain. The overall success of the treatment was assessed 1 month after the pleurodesis. The dispersion of talc was limited and unequal in 75% of the subjects. In two patients with apparently good distribution on anterior views, the lateral views of the scintigraphy showed only limited distribution. Rotation of the patients did not influence the dispersion of sludge after 1 min or 1 h. Pleurodesis was successful in 85% of the patients after 1-month follow-up. Standard rotation protocols for patients with malignant pleural effusion do not affect the overall dispersion of talc suspension and should be abolished because of the discomfort caused to the patients.     

胸膜固定术治疗恶性胸腔积液的研究进展

恶性胸腔积液（malignant pleural effusion,MPE）是癌症患者的一种常见并发症,预后普遍较差。随着全球癌症发病率的不断增高以及多数癌症患者预期寿命的延长,MPE的发病率和相关医疗费用呈现逐渐上升趋势。虽然针对MPE的姑息性治疗方案众多,但是其效果并不确切,MPE的临床管理仍存在较大挑战。胸膜固定术是MPE的主要治疗方式之一,可有效缓解积液相关症状,降低胸膜再次干预的风险。本文将从胸膜固定术治疗MPE的机制、硬化剂种类和硬化剂输注途径三个方面展开综述,为临床实践中开展更加有效、合理、个体化的MPE管理方案提供思路。      

Management of recurrent malignant pleural effusions with a chronic indwelling pleural catheter

Many patients with various forms of cancer develop sooner or later malignant pleural effusions, resulting in feelings of discomfort and reduced quality of life. Several palliative options exist, including repeated thoracocentesis and pleurodesis with a sclerosing agent. However, these "therapeutic" possibilities are not always successful and sometimes even contraindicated. Also, patients need to visit the hospital regularly or have to stay hospitalised for several days. A chronic indwelling pleural catheter could provide a simple, completely outpatient way to provide respiratory relief and improvement in quality of life in patients with malignant pleural effusions. We evaluated retrospectively the course of 17 patients with malignant pleural effusions who were treated with a chronic indwelling pleural catheter (PleurX). Eligible patients were selected in the years 2001-2003 from a single institution. In 70-80% of patients, catheter use was uncomplicated and provided significant symptom relief. Mean duration of catheter use was 2.3 (range 1-6) months. Mean fluid removal was 360 (range 150-1000 cc) per 24 h in the first weeks of treatment. Infection was seen in two (12%) patients, dislocation of the catheter in three (18%). In the final analysis, catheter use was unsatisfactory in two patients (12%). We conclude that a chronic indwelling catheter is a very useful tool in the management of recurrent malignant pleural effusions. Treatment can be accomplished completely at home, whereas complications are rare.     

Pleurodesis in recurrent pleural effusions: a randomized comparison of a classical and a currently popular drug

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Pleurodesis is generally regarded to give the best palliation in recurrent pleural effusion. Talc is now increasingly recommended but in our department quinacrine has been used successfully for many decades with good results and only minor side effects. It was therefore decided to make a prospective randomized clinical study comparing quinacrine (500 mg) with talc (5 g) with regard to efficacy and safety. METHODS: One hundred and ten eligible consecutive patients with recurrent and or malignant effusions, from 1 March 1996 till 31 March 1999 were randomized to chemical pleurodesis with either talc or quinacrine through a chest drainage tube after medical thoracoscopy. Patients were evaluated with chest radiographs at 2 weeks and 2, 4, and 6 months after pleurodesis. RESULTS: Chi-square test showed 84% power to distinguish between the groups and 10% to determine the primary endpoint. Primary success (fluid production < 50ml/24h within the first 6 days) was 96% of 56 patients with talc and 91% of 54 patients with quinacrine, a non-significant difference (P = 0.46). Quinacrine patients needed a repeated treatment in 31% (17 patients) and talc patients in 7% (4 patients) (P < 0.05). Side effects were minor with no significant difference between the substances. CONCLUSIONS: Both substances are effective. Talc treatment had less often to be repeated. This indicates that the recommendation of talc for pleurodesis is well founded. However, quinacrine is a good alternative.     

Malignant pleural effusion, current and evolving approaches for its diagnosis and management

Malignant pleural effusion is a common and debilitating complication of advanced malignant diseases. This problem seems to affect particularly those with lung and breast cancer, contributing to the poor quality of life. Approximately half of all patients with metastatic cancer develop a malignant pleural effusion at some point, which is likely to cause significant symptoms such as dyspnea and cough. Evacuation of the pleural fluid and prevention of its re-accumulation are the main goals of management. Optimal treatment is controversial and there is no universally standard approach. Intervention options range from observation in the case of asymptomatic effusions through simple thoracentesis to more invasive methods such as chemical and mechanical pleurodesis, pleur-X catheter drainage, pleuroperitoneal shunting, and pleurectomy. The best results are reported with thoracoscopy and talc insufflation, with an acceptable morbidity. Development of novel methods to control malignant pleural effusion should be a high priority in palliative care of cancer patients. This article reviews the current, as well as, novel approaches that show some promise for the future. The aim is to identify the proper approach for each individual patient.     

Bevacizumab plus chemotherapy for advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer with malignant pleural effusion

Purpose

The presence of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) indicates a poorer prognosis for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and impairs their quality of life. Because vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the key mediator MPE production, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy plus bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF antibody, in non-squamous NSCLC patients with MPE, especially regarding the control of pleural effusions.

Methods

From November 1, 2009 to September 30, 2011, medical charts of 13 consecutive patients with MPE who received bevacizumab plus chemotherapy as the initial or secondary treatment were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Of the 13 patients, 6 did not undergo pleurodesis, 3 were unsuccessfully treated by pleurodesis, 2 had encapsulated pleural effusion, and 2 had no re-expansion of the lung. Twelve patients (92.3 %) achieved MPE control lasting >8 weeks following bevacizumab plus chemotherapy. Five of 10 patients with measurable lesions had confirmed partial responses. Of 3 patients without measurable lesions, one had confirmed CR. Median progression-free survival time without re-accumulation of MPE was 312 days. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, hypertension, or proteinuria was observed in 2, 2, 1, or 1 patient, respectively.

Conclusions

This is the first study to report that bevacizumab plus chemotherapy is highly effective for the management of MPE in non-squamous NSCLC patients. Prospective clinical trials are warranted to investigate the efficacy of bevacizumab for MPE.     

Efficacy of short-term versus long-term chest tube drainage following talc slurry pleurodesis in patients with malignant pleural effusions: a randomised trial

Talc pleurodesis is commonly used in the palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusions but the shortest and most effective regime has not been determined. In particular, it is not clear when the intercostal drain should be removed following the insertion of sclerosant. We conducted a single-centre, randomised, open trial of drain removal at 24 h versus 72 h following talc slurry pleurodesis. The primary outcome measure was success of pleurodesis (no recurrence of effusion on chest radiograph at 1-month follow-up) and secondary outcome measures included length of hospital stay and mortality. We found no difference between recurrence of pleural effusion in those randomised to drain removal at 24 h and those randomised to drain removal at 72 h (p>0.5). However, length of stay was significantly reduced when the chest drain was removed at 24 h (4 days versus 8 days; p<0.01). Mortality did not differ between the two groups. We conclude that this shorter pleurodesis regime is safe and effective.     

电视胸腔镜诊治恶性胸腔积液18例报告

[目的]评价电视胸腔镜手术（VATS）在恶性胸腔积液诊治中的应用价值,［方法］18例恶性胸腔积液患者行胸腔镜胸膜活检和滑石粉胸膜固定术,术后加低负压胸腔引流。［结果］18例均获病理确诊,其中恶性胸膜间皮瘤2例,乳腺癌胸膜转移6例,肺癌胸膜转移8例,卵巢癌和胃癌胸膜转移各1例。胸膜固定成功16例;失败2例,其原因为肺癌伴有肺不张。［结论］VATS可以大大提高恶性胸腔积液的确诊率和胸膜固定术的效果,术后低负压胸腔引流有利于胸腔粘连形成,缩短引流时间。     

VATS术中喷洒红霉素或滑石粉治疗NSCLC转移性胸腔积液的近期疗效观察

目的:研究电视胸腔镜手术(VATS)中喷洒红霉素或滑石粉治疗非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)转移性胸腔积液(MPE)的近期疗效。方法:将有MPE的NSCLC患者随机分为两组:A组VATS术中喷洒红霉素1.0g;B组喷洒滑石粉5.0g。对比两组胸引量、引流时间、不良反应与近期疗效。结果:两组拔管时间、胸引量均无统计学意义(P>0.05);总不良反应率红霉素组低于滑石粉组(P<0.05)。结论:用红霉素作为VATS治疗MPE具有与滑石粉相仿的临床价值。     

胸腔镜下胸膜腔闭锁术治疗恶性胸腔积液的临床评价

为了评价胸腔镜下胸膜腔闭锁术治疗恶性胸腔积液的优势及效果,对48例恶性胸腔积液患者行胸腔镜下胸膜腔闭锁术,所有患者均在全身麻醉双腔气管插管胸腔镜（video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery,VATS）下进行,术中吸净胸腔积液,分离纤维粘连,5例行部分胸膜剥脱,同时行多处胸膜活检。然后用连接多侧孔尿管的喷球,将5～10g无菌医用滑石粉均匀喷洒到脏、壁层胸膜表面,达到胸膜腔闭锁,术中放置带多侧孔的引流管,术后引流3～6d。48例患者无围手术期死亡。术后2例（4.17%）发生持续漏气,均经持续负压吸引后治愈。随访47例患者（97.92%）,随访时间为3个月。胸膜腔闭锁成功46例（95.83%）;2例失败,其中1例再次行该手术成功。初步研究结果提示,VATS下喷洒滑石粉用于胸膜腔闭锁,安全、可靠,可有效治疗恶性胸腔积液。     

Vandetanib and Indwelling Pleural Catheter for Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer With Recurrent Malignant Pleural Effusion

Introduction/BackgroundNon–small-cell lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion have a poor overall median survival (4.3 months). VEGF is a key regulator of pleural effusion production. It is unknown if pharmacological inhibition of VEGF signaling modifies the disease course of non–small-cell lung cancer patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusion. We report the final results of a single-arm phase II clinical trial of the VEGF receptor inhibitor, vandetanib, combined with intrapleural catheter placement in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer and recurrent malignant pleural effusion, to determine whether vandetanib reduces time to pleurodesis.Patients and MethodsNon–small-cell lung cancer patients with proven metastatic disease to the pleural space using pleural fluid cytology or pleural biopsy who required intrapleural catheter placement were eligible for enrollment. On the same day of the intrapleural catheter insertion, the patients were started on a daily oral dose of 300 mg vandetanib, for a maximum of 10 weeks. The primary end point was time to pleurodesis, with response rate as the secondary end point. Exploratory analyses included measurement of pleural fluid cytokines and angiogenic factors before and during therapy.ResultsTwenty eligible patients were included in the trial. Eleven patients completed 10 weeks of treatment. Median time to pleurodesis was 35 days (95% confidence interval, 15-not applicable). Median time to pleurodesis in the historical cohort was 63 days (95% confidence interval, 45-86) when adjusted for Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 2.ConclusionVandetanib therapy was well tolerated; however, it did not significantly reduce time to pleurodesis.     

Arterial desaturation syndrome following pleurodesis with talc slurry: incidence, clinical features, and outcome

The objectives were to define the incidence, risk factors, clinical features and outcome of arterial desaturation syndrome following talc pleurodesis in patients with malignant pleural effusions. This retrospective, observational study took place at a tertiary care cancer center in New York. All patients were those with malignancy who underwent pleurodesis with talc in 1998 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Characteristics of patients are described by using summary statistics. Differences between groups were assessed with the Fisher's exact statistic for categorical variables and Student's t-test for continuous variables. Among patients who were considered to have arterial desaturation syndrome, we evaluated the relation of SaO2/FIO2 pre- and post-talc installation using a paired Student's t-test. During 1998, 120 patients underwent pleurodesis with talc, and 8 (7%) developed arterial desaturation following the procedure. Symptoms included chest pain, dyspnea, fever, and increased need for oxygen supplementation developed typically within 1 day. Three of the eight patients in this series required mechanical ventilation, but all recovered uneventfully after treatment, which included high-dose corticosteroids. Patients with breast and ovarian cancer appeared to be at increased risk for this complication compared to those patients with other types of cancer (p = 0.01). Approximately 7% of patients who have undergone sclerosis with talc for a malignant pleural effusion will develop arterial desaturation with clinically significant hypoxia requiring supplemental oxygen following the procedure. It appears that most patients recover from this complication and that those with breast and ovarian cancer may be at higher risk.     

电视胸腔镜手术诊治恶性胸腔积液的疗效评价

目的 :评价电视胸腔镜手术诊治恶性胸腔积液的临床疗效。方法 :对 12 0例胸腔积液患者行电视胸腔镜胸膜活检 ,确诊为恶性病变 ,喷洒滑石粉和顺铂。结果 :12 0 /12 0例手术成功 ,随访 115例 1～ 2 4个月无胸腔积液复发。结论 :电视胸腔镜手术对胸腔积液的病因诊断有临床实用价值 ,滑石粉胸膜固定加顺铂喷洒治疗是控制恶性胸腔积液的有效方法。     

False positive 18F-FDG-PET/CT in a patient after talc pleurodesis

A 61-year-old man presented with spontaneous pneumothorax. After diagnosis of emphysemic bullae, the patient underwent talc pleurodesis and had no further complaints. Five years later a routine chest X-ray showed suspicious pleural lesions in addition to the emphysema, which was deemed compatible with the known history of talc pleurodesis. Subsequent chest CT, however, revealed one lesion in the right lung that appeared not typical for this condition in addition to multiple lesions in pleural proximity. FDG-PET/CT demonstrated high glucose uptake in all the lesions. Subsequent needle biopsy of the suspicious intrapulmonary and also of one mediastinal lesion yielded the histopathological diagnosis of talcum granuloma with long-standing calculous fibrotic changes and no evidence of malignancy. This report on PET/CT after talc pleurodesis addresses the potential pitfalls caused by this condition, as chronic granulomatous reactions, like other inflammatory lesions, may account for highly increased FDG uptake which should be interpreted with caution and not simply read as a sign of malignancy. PET/CT offers the opportunity to exactly localize the areas of increased FDG uptake within regions of pleural thickening caused by talc deposition, however, the dilemma of misleading FDG accumulation cannot be solved by this hybrid imaging modality.