Clinical analysis of 43 cases with pericardial metastasis from lung cancer

Objective:To appoach the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of pericardialmetastasis in broncho-lung cancer.Methods:The 996 cases of lung cancer （not counting readmission patients） were reviewed in our hospital during January 1960 to February 1994, among which 43 cases of pericardial metastasis were analysed retrospectively. Results:By means of histopathology and/or exfoliative cytology, 30 cases of adenocarcinoma, 8 cases of small cell lung cancer and 5 cases of squamous carcinoma were revealed. There were 3 patients who took hydropericardium as the first symptom and the adenocarcinoma cells were found in the pericardial effusion. Treated with pericardiocentesis and injecting antineoplastics into pericardial cavity, 8 patients with pericardial tamponade relieved and survived for the average time of 234 days. The carcinoembryonic antigen（CEA） increased significantly in blood plasma and pericardial effusion in patients the adenocarcinoma. Conclusion:Adenocarcinoma was liable to metastasize to the pericardium, to which CEA had an important diagnostic value. It was proved that early diagnosis, positive pericardiocentesis and chemotherapy could improve the living quality and prolong subsisting time of the patients.