Cediranib as Palliative Treatment in Patients With Symptomatic Malignant Ascites or Pleural Effusion

In some patients with cancer there are also cancer cells in the abdominal cavity or between the lung membranes. These cancer cells create too much moisture in the abdominal cavity or between the lung membranes. If there is fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites fluid) this can bring on abdominal distension, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, bloating and sometimes wheezing. Too much fluid between the lung membranes (we call this pleural fluid) gives breathlessness, chest pain and coughing. The use of diuretics may offer a small group of patients symptom reduction. Additionally, the fluid can be drained through a needle puncture or fluid collection (through a biopsy). But usually, the moisture quickly returns. Previous research done in this hospital with cediranib showed that with some patients with cancer who suffered from fluid in the abdominal cavity or between the lung membranes, this moisture reduces while using this drug. It also reduced the symptoms caused by this excessive moisture. The current study is conducted to see whether patients with cancer and fluid in the abdominal cavity or fluid between the lung blades benefit from using cediranib. This involves not only whether the amount moisture reduces, but also if the complains decrease. In addition, we will carefully consider the possible side effects of cediranib.