Effectiveness of intraperitoneal or intrapleural administration of triamcinolone acetonide for the control of malignant ascites and pleural effusion (Kansai Clinical Oncology Group-G1102 study).

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a retrospective multi-institutional study to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of intraperitoneal or intrapleural triamcinolone acetonide (TA), a slowly metabolized corticosteroid administration for the management of malignant ascites or pleural effusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of patients with gynecologic cancer who were treated with paracentesis or thoracocentesis followed by administration of 400 mg of TA between 2005 and 2014 were reviewed.

RESULTS: The median age of the 74 eligible patients was 59 years. An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 3-4 was present in 53 patients (73%), and 52 patients (70%) had ovarian cancer. Paracentesis followed by TA administration was performed in 65 patients (88%), and 37 patients (50%) were treated in a palliative setting. Chemotherapy or surgery after TA administration was performed in 37 patients (50%) in an aggressive setting, of which 14 patients (19%) were treated at the primary phase and 23 patients (31%) were treated at recurrent phase. The time interval of serial drainage was prolonged in 15 of 19 assessable patients, resulting in a response rate of 79% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 54-94%). Median overall survival after TA therapy in a palliative setting was 36 days (95% CI: 19-58 days). After TA therapy in a palliative setting, one patient complained of mild abdominal pain, two patients with advanced peritonitis carcinomatosis experienced bowel perforation, and three patients died within 7 days owing to disease progression.

CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal and intrapleural TA administration were feasible and effective in symptomatic control of ascites and pleural effusion.