Clinical observation on the efficacy of Xiaoshui decoction combined with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin in treating malignant pleural effusion.

OBJECTIVE

To observe the clinical efficacy of Xiaoshui decoction (XSD) combined with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion.

METHODS

Fifty-one patients with malignant pleural effusion were randomly assigned to two groups. The treated group (26 patients) received oral administration of XSD combined with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin, and the control group (25 patients) was only treated with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin. The effects of the short-term efficacy, quality of life scores and clinical symptom scores of malignant pleural effusion were evaluated.

RESULTS

The short-term efficacy in the treated group and the control group was 72.0% and 58.3%, respectively, and no significant difference was found (P>0.05). In contrast, the quality of life in the treated group was significantly improved compared to that of the control group (P<0.05), and so was the symptom remission (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The combined therapy of XSD and intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin did not show obvious improvement in short-term efficacy, but the therapy remarkably alleviated the symptoms and improved the quality of life of patients.