[Local administration of adriamycin (ADM) for malignant pleural effusion and pericardiac effusion in breast cancer].

We examined the efficacy, toxicity, and survival rate of patients treated with local administration of adriamycin (ADM) for malignant pleural effusion and pericardial effusion in breast cancer. From May 1996 to December 2002, we injected ADM into the pleural cavity for 21 courses and into the pericardial cavity for 2 courses in 18 patients. Thirteen patients showed CR (including 2 cases were injected into pericardial cavity), 2 PR, and 4 PD, and the overall response rate was 78.9%. Toxicities included nausea/vomiting, elevated fever, chest pain, and so on in 15 patients (83.3%). No severe toxicities, however, were observed. The overall survival rate after the removal of the drainage tube was 42.5% at 1 year and 16.5% at 2 years. The survival in patients with a first recurrence, and CR or PR was significantly better than other patients. We conclude that local administration of ADM is useful for treatment, without severe toxicities, of malignant pleural effusion and pericardial effusion in breast cancer.