New
Cancer Drug is being Developed to Tackle Excessive Fluids in the
Chest (Pleural Effusions)
(June 18th, 2010)
 In
a recent publication of Respirology published by Wiley-Blackwell,
Scientists have published 2 papers that encourage the use of Iodoprovidone
agent to tackle the growing problem of excessive fluids developing
in the chest. Iodoprovidone is known as a Pleurodesing agent and
is perceived to be a option in managing malignant pleural effusions
developing in Cancer patients. In fact according to ScienceDaily,
200,000 Cancer patients in the USA suffer from malignant pleural
effusions each year. Pleural effusions is when excessive fluids
accumulate around the chest area making it very difficult for patients
to breathe and face severe distress. Scientists say some patients
accumulate a few litres of fluids around the chest, which is huge.
It is estimated that 1 in 4 patients with Cancer, 1 in 3 patients
with Breast Cancer and almost all Mesothelioma lung cancer patients
will develop malignant pleural effusions.
Andreas H. Diacon, editorial publisher at Respirology magazine
quotes, "There is not only a need to identify ideal pleurodesis
agents, but also to standardize and optimize research tools to evaluate
pleurodesis success in malignant effusions. In combination, these
papers are complementary and warrant a critical appraisal of the
current state of clinical research in malignant pleural effusion."
Pleurodesis is a similar type of treatment that prevents accumulation
of air and liquids in the pleural space. Presence of tumors in the
pleural space is associated with sicknesses such as breathlessness,
severe cough and pain.
Jose D.A, lead Author of the study quotes, "Out of the 61
pleurodesis procedures performed, no mortality was observed and
less than 20 per cent presented complications. With the success
rate of about 99 percent, iodopovidone appears to be a good option
for the recurrent malignant pleural effusion."
Pleural effusions are detected by Chest x-rays that show the excessive
layers of fluid that reside in the chest area. As soon as 500mL
of fluid accumulates around the chest area, the patient suffers
from lacking function of the chest including symptoms such as:
- Less movement of the chest on the side which has excessive fluids,
leading to pain.
- Breathlessness
- Decreased vocal resonance
Iodopovidone is recognized as a cheap and effective agent for managing
pleural effusions. Medical doctors inject mixture of 20 ml 10% iodopovidone
and 80 ml 0.9% saline solution in to the pleural cavities of patients
through a chest tube. Once the chest tube accumulates fluids and
less than 100mL of fluids remains in the pleural cavity, the chest
tube is unclamped from the chest area. After performing a chest
radiography that shows a fully re-expanded lung, the patient is
let free from the hospital.
View the Youtube video below to see how Pleural effusions is managed
in the chest area and how excessive fluids are detected.
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