Intracavital chemotherapy for peritoneal and pleural carcinomatosis with lipid-formulated anticancer agents

A clinical pilot study of intracavital chemotherapy with anticancer agents dissolved in lipids for malignant effusion in pleural and peritoneal cavity was performed. Seven patients with pleural or peritoneal metastases were treated with a cocktail of anticancer agents dissolved in Lipiodol individually administered via the intracavitary route. All the patients revealed cytological and physical improvement. Five patients responded completely and two responded partially; four patients were able to be discharged from hospital and no serious side effects were observed. Thus, this therapeutic tactic of using oily anticancer agents appeares to be promising for control of pleural and peritoneal carcinomatoses.