Diuretics in malignant effusions and edemas of generalized cancer.

Forty patients with generalized cancer complicated by water and electrolyte retention were treated with "medium" and "large" doses of furosemide and bumetanide with 35% and 40% objective positive response, respectively. A smaller percentage of patients benefited from these diuretics, mainly in the quality of their lives. Peaks" of diuresis lasting a few days were observed in positive diuretic response. It is therefore concluded that diuretics may be more effective in malignant conditions if administered in a "high-dose pulse" therapeutic schedule.