[Clinical analysis of 12 cases of pneumothorax during intensive chemotherapy for malignant neoplasms].

Twelve cases of pneumothorax during intensive chemotherapy for malignant neoplasms were found in a retrospective study of patients being treated at our hospital in the period 2001-2009. All of the patients were men, and their diseases were lung cancer (9 cases), gastric cancer (2 cases) and esophageal cancer (one case). Operation for pneumothorax was performed 9 times in 7 patients(twice in two patients). Thoracoscopic surgery was done in 6 patients, and one patient with severe pulmonary emphysema was performed by open thoracotomy. Pleurodesis was performed 5 times using OK-432 only or OK-432 and minocyclin. Five patients died during the treatment for pneumothorax. The causes of death were interstitial pneumonia after pleurodesis (one case), and progression of cancer during interruption of chemotherapy (4 cases). Development of pneumothorax during intensive chemotherapy should be recognized and treated as soon as possible because it may hinder the treatment for malignant tumors and lead to severe pulmonary dysfunction.