Intracavitary administration of radioactive isotopes in the control of effusions due to cancer:Results in 267 patients

Abstract

This presents a series of 267 patients given a total of 325 treatments of radioactive isotopes administered intracavum in the control of ascites and hydrothorax. The following radioactive isotopes were employed: Radioactive gold (Au198), radioactive chromic phosphate (CrP32O4), radioactive AU198 and CrP32O4 in combination and radioactive yttrium (Y90). The intracavitary instillation of radioactive Au198 and/or CrP32O4 afforded 54% of patients some degree of salutary benefit. Of 99 patients with hydrothorax 5.0% had an excellent response to treatment and 24% a good response; pleural effusion from a primary cancer of the breast, lung and lymphoma showed the most satisfactory response. Of 145 patients with cancerous ascites, 54% received benefit, 12% showing excellent response and 19% showing good response; ascites due to a primary cancer in the female genital tract (especially the ovary), the gastrointestinal tract and the lymphomas enjoyed the best palliation. Cancerous effusion carries an ominous prognosis; the average duration of life in our treated series was 6.3 months. In contrast, patients with effusion due to lymphoma survived an average period of 15 months. In half the patients treated, an undetermined restraint in fluid formation was noted with a probable resultant indeterminate prolongation of life. Complications were minimal.