Pericardial effusion is not uncommon in patients with malignant tumor. Although most of patients with pericardial effusion are asymptomatic, early detection and appropriate treatment of this complication is important because of rapid progression
to
cardiac tamponade.
We reviewed 30 cancer patients with pericardial effusion who were admitted to Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital between May, 1982 and Oct, 1992. There were 13 men and 17 women. The median age of these patients in 53(range 31~76). Lung and breast(21
cases,
70%) were predominant primary sites of underlying cancers. The common presenting symptoms and signs included dyspnea(100%), tachycardia(70%), cough/sputum(66.7%), tachypnea(66.7%), distant heart sound(60%), chest pain/discomfort(50%). The most
common
abnormalities of chest xray and EKG were cardiomegaly(100%) and low voltage(60%), respectively. Echo free space on t he 2-D echocardiograms was represented in all cases. Cytologic examination of pericardial fluid demonstrated malignant cells in
66.7%.
Treatment modalities were conservative care 13(43.3%), pericardial window formation 12(40%) and pericardiocentesis alone 5(16.7%). Overall median survival was 4.5 months.
In conclusion, physicians should be always careful for the cancer patients who had symptom and signs suggesting pericardial effusion because early diagnosis by echocardiogram and appropriate selection of treatment modalities are essential for
symptomatic relief and life prolongation.
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