International College of Chest Physicians, Amsterdam, Netherlands, June 1993. Introduction Pericardial effusion in cancer patients is a common and devastating problem. Metastatic tumor obstructing the mediastinal lymph nodes draining the pericardium is the common pathologic finding. Consequently the tumors most frequently causing pericardial effusion are lung and breast cancers, with melanoma, lymphoma and leukemia as less common causes. If untreated, death usually results within a few weeks from tamponade.
Rapid recurrence is usual after pericardiocentesis alone.
Surgical resection of pericardium can provide relief from tamponade and extend life, but survival is limited by the advanced stage neoplasm. Accordingly, the goal of treatment should be to provide adequate drainage and prevention of recurrent effusion using a safe technique that allows the patient to return to a normal life style as quickly as possible. There were no intraoperative deaths. Eight patients with primary cancers comprise the material for this study. 2.Univent tube with endoscopic placement of blocker.