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

• Published in: Lung cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Netherlands), 2004-03, Vol.43 (3), p.323-328
• Main Authors: Ukale, Valiant, Agrenius, Veronica, Hillerdal, Gunnar, Mohlkert, Dag, Widström, Olle
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents - administration & dosage; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - prevention & control; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Pleural effusion; Pleural Effusion, Malignant - chemically induced; Pleural Effusion, Malignant - drug therapy; Pleural Effusion, Malignant - pathology; Pleurodesis; Pleurodesis - methods; Pneumology; Prospective Studies; Quinacrine; Quinacrine - administration & dosage; Randomized study; Talc; Talc - administration & dosage; Thoracoscopy; Treatment Outcome; Tumors of the respiratory system and mediastinum
• ISSN: 0169-5002; 1872-8332
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2003.09.014

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