[The local hyperthermochemotherapy for pleural carcinomatosis]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Thoracic Surgery
• Palliative Care

Context:

• Malignant pleural effusion and intrathoracic disseminated lesions pose significant challenges in managing lung cancer and mesothelioma.
• Conventional treatments often have limited efficacy and substantial side effects for these conditions.
• Radiofrequency hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy offers a localized treatment approach.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of local hyperthermochemotherapy for controlling malignant effusion and intrathoracic lesions.
• To assess treatment response, survival rates, and quality of life in patients with pleural carcinomatosis.

Summary:

• Seventeen patients with malignant pleural effusion and intrathoracic lesions (lung cancer, mesothelioma) underwent radiofrequency hyperthermia (42-43°C) with intra-thoracic cisplatin (1-2 mg/m²).
• The treatment, repeated 2-4 times, achieved an 87.5% response rate, with complete or partial remission in 14 cases.
• Side effects like nausea and vomiting were milder than conventional chemotherapy; median survival was 15 months with 41.7% 2-year survival, and local recurrence was absent.

Impact:

• Local hyperthermochemotherapy demonstrates significant efficacy in controlling malignant pleural effusion and improving patient quality of life.
• The procedure offers a valuable therapeutic option for patients with pleural carcinomatosis, minimizing local recurrence.
• This approach provides a better safety profile compared to systemic chemotherapy for managing thoracic malignancies.