Intrapericardial Infusion of Etoposide and Cisplatin in Treating Malignant Pericardial Effusion of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND OBJECTIVE: Pericardiocentesis and intrapericardial infusion of chemotherapeutic drugs is the main treatment of malignant pericardial effusion. This study was to observe the efficacy and side effect of intrapericardial infusion of etoposide (VP-16) and cisplatin (DDP) on malignant pericardial effusion of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Twenty-eight NSCLC patients with malignant pericardial effusion were treated with pericardiocentesis and intrapericardial infusion of VP-16 (200-300 mg) and DDP (80-100 mg). Intravenous chemotherapy were given 2 weeks after the pericardiocentesis. RESULTS: The overall response(OR) rate of the first-time treatment of the 28 patients was 85.7%, with complete response (CR) rate of 71.4%; the OR rate of the second-time treatment was 100%. Only 4 patients needed second-time pericardiocentesis. Sixteen patients developed gastrointestinal tract reaction (mainly grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ), 12 developed myelosuppression (mainly grade Ⅰ), and 1 showed mild abnormal of transaminase. For the 24 na?觙ve patients, the overall survival time was 14 months for stage ⅢB and 10.9 months for stage Ⅳ; whereas for the 4 patients with relapsed disease, the overall survival time was 6 months (from the time of relapse). CONCLUSION: Intrapericardial infusion of VP-16 and DDP is an effective treatment for malignant pericardial effusion of NSCLC.