Palliative therapy of tumor-induced pleural effusions with 90Yttrium-silicate.

In 20 patients with rapidly recurring malignant pleural effusion, 90Yttrium-silicate was intrapleurally instilled after the puncture. In all patients this treatment resulted in marked reduction, or even interruption, of exudate formation. Eleven patients died with an average survival of 166 days. Nine patients are still alive and have been followed up for a mean of 140 days without the pleural effusion recurring. Side effects were not observed, either subjectively or in relation to hematological and other laboratory findings.