Efficacy of Radiofrequency Hyperthermia Combined with Chemotherapy in Treatment of Malignant Pericardial Effusion Caused by Lung Cancer

Background and objective Malignant pericardial effusion is one of the serious complications of lung cancer and lack effective treatment methods. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy for patients with malignant pericardial effusion caused by lung cancer. Methods Fifty-five patients with malignant pericardial effusion caused by lung cancer were divided into hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy group (combined therapy group) and chemotherapy group. The combined therapy group was treated with radiofrequency hyperthermia after the pericardiocentesis and intracavitary injection (cisplatin 20 mg and dexamethasone 5 mg), when patients’ general state of health improved, systemic chemotherapy was performed. The chemotherapy group was treated only with intracavitary injection and systemic chemotherapy. Intracavitary chemotherapy was performed for 1-6 times (average 3 times). Hyperthermia was performed twice per week with an average of 6 times following intracavitary and systemic chemotherapy. The temperature of intracavitary was 40.5 oC-41.5 oC for 60 min during the hyperthermia periods. Systemic chemotherapy consists of cisplatin (75 mg/m2) and vinorelbine (50 mg/m2). Results The complete remission rate (CR) of malignant pericardial effusion was 54.3% and the response rate (RR) was 91.4% in the combined therapy group, while the rates of CR and RR of chemotherapy group were 25.0% and 70.0%, and the differences of CR and RR between the two groups were significant (P