BACKGROUNDTo explore the therapeutic effect of bronchial artery infusion chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy for lung cancer with malignant hydrothorax.

METHODSSeventy-five lung cancer patients with malignant hydrothorax were randomly divided into the two groups: 38 patients were given intrathoracic chemotherapy and bronchial artery infusion chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy as observing group; 37cases only received intrathoracic chemotherapy as control group. Chi-square assay was performed to analyze the efficacy (responses for lung cancer and hydrothorax control) after the first course of treatment and the 1-, 2-year survival rates in the two groups.

RESULTSAfter the first course of treatment, the total responses for lung cancer were 31.58% (12/38) and 5.41% (2/37) in the observing group and control group (Chi-square=8.46, P < 0.01) respectively ; and responses for hydrothorax control were 86.84% and 64.86% respectively (Chi-square= 4.96, P <0.05). The 1- and 2-year survival rates in the observing group were 65.79% (25/38) and 26.32% (10/38) respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the control group (40.54% and 5.41%) respectively (Chi-square=4.80, P <0.05; Chi-square=6.10, P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe intrathoracic chemotherapy combined with bronchial artery infusion chemotherapy and immunotherapy is quite effective in the treatment of lung cancer with malignant hydrothorax.