Efficacy of Pleurodesis with Low Dose Talc in Malign Pleural Effusions

Introduction: Malignant pleural effusion is the appearance of cancer cells in the pleural space with pleural invasion or metastasis. Pleurodesis is a commonly used treatment modality in the treatment of recurrent malignant pleural effusions. The most commonly used agent for pleurodesis is sterile talc. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of low dose (2 grams) talc in patients at risk for pleurodesis. Materials & Methods: Fifty patients with malignant pleural effusion were treated with 2-g talc pleurodesis. The cases were 20 males and 30 females. Patients Grouped into four groups as breast, gastrointestinal-renal (stomach, colon, renal), lung (lung ca, mesothelioma) and gynecological malignancies (endometrium, over ca). Results: Twenty-one patients (42%) developed pleural effusion and 29 patients (58%) did not develop recurrence. 12 patients had only chest pain and 2 patients developed transient respiratory distress due to the procedure. No mortality related to the procedure was observed in any of the patients. Conclusion: Pleurodesis with low dose talc success rate is very similar to the success rate of pleurodesis with high dose talc. Therefore, pleurodesis with low dose talc should be preferred especially in patients at risk and general impairment.