A clinical review of pleurodesis for patients with poor performance status

BACKGROUND: Although pleurodesis is an effective treatment for malignant pleural effusion, we hesitate to use in patients with poor performance status (PS) because of its side effects. METHODS: Of 46 pleurodesis cases in our institution between 2006 and 2010, 24 poor PS cases (>3) were classified into 2 groups according to survival (beyond 3 months) or non-survival, and 3 groups according to condition: PS improved after pleurodesis, remained stable, or was exacerbated and we analyzed their backgrounds. RESULTS: Among the 24 cases (66.7%), there were 5 and 19 survival and non-survival cases. Patient backgrounds, characteristics of the lesions and examination results did not differ significantly among them. On the other hand, the ratio of successful initial pleurodesis in the exacerbated PS group was lower than in the improved and stable groups (16.7% vs. 100%, 87.5%). The 1- and 3-month survival rates of unsuccessful cases were lower than those of successful cases (33.3% vs. 77.8%, 0% vs. 32.4%). CONCLUSION: Success of initial pleurodesis can affect PS and outcome, thus it is important to improve the number of successful cases of initial pleurodesis.