[Palliative therapy of tumor-induced pleural effusions with radioisotopes]

Radioactive substances are widely used in the treatment of malignant pleural and peritoneal effusions. Since the instillation of radioactive 198Au rarely yielded long-term therapeutic successes, we examined the effect of 90yttrium silicate in intrapleural instillation. In 74 patients suffering from pleural effusion characterised by a rapid an high relapse tendency, the malignant genesis of the effusion having been confirmed histologically by thoracoscopy or cytologically, 50 mCi of 90yttrium silicate were instilled intrapleurally after maximally complete drainage of the exudate via puncture. In all patients the production of the effusion was clearly reduced under this therapy or was at least temporarily completely discontinued. 63 patients died since initiation of therapy. Their average survival time was about 288 days. 11 patients are still under outpatient follow-up control and did not show any repeated formation of an effusion. No significant side effects have been recorded so far, neither subjectively nor haematologically or via chemical examination in the laboratory.