[Intrathoracic administration of adriamycin with closed tube thoracostomy drainage for malignant pleuritis: observation on the administration dosage].

The effect of intrathoracic administration of adriamycin with closed tube thoracostomy drainage was investigated on patients with various malignant pleural effusions (13 lung cancer and one each stomach, breast, ovarian cancer, respectively). The doses of adriamycin ranged from 50, 30, 20, to 10 mg given to four groups of 4 cases respectively. Comparative study on effective rates, survival period after the administration, side effects and histopathological changes in autopsied cases was performed. The results obtained were as follows: 1. With regard to effective rates and histopathological changes, no difference was observed in the four groups in term of dose escalation of Adriamycin. 2. 50% survival period was similar within the groups administered 20, 30 and 50 mg of Adriamycin. However, the group receiving 10 mg showed slightly shorter survival period. 3. Although serious side effects were not observed in any groups, minor toxicities were mostly encountered in the 50 mg group. 4. It was concluded that in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion, an appropriate dose of intrathoracic administration of adriamycin was about 20-30 mg.