🏛️ Verified NIH Record • Updated 2026-04-13

Intrapleural Catheter Daily Versus Three Times a Week Drainage (NCT00761618)

Effectiveness of Daily Versus Three Times a Week Drainage After Placement of Intrapleural Catheters for the Palliative Management of Pleural Effusions Associated With Malignancies

🔵 Active, Not Recruiting Phase2 🩺 Clinical Procedure Protocol Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

The goal of this clinical research study is to learn if draining the IPC every day is better at than draining it 3 times a week.

Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (3 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (9 items).

Location: University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center — Houston, Texas

Age range: 18 Years

🧪 Interventions in This Study

  • Intrapleural catheter (IPC) drained (PROCEDURE)
  • IPC Placement (PROCEDURE)
  • Chest X-Ray (RADIATION)

📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Check every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).

Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

  • Exclusion Criteria:
  • Any of the following interventions on the affected hemithorax: prior IPC, prior chest tube placement, history of chemical or mechanical pleurodesis, history of thoracotomy within 4 weeks incompletely healed surgical incision before randomization.
  • Evidence of empyema or history of empyema of the affected hemithorax
  • Non-correctable bleeding diathesis
  • Any psychological, familial, sociological or geographical condition potentially hampering compliance with the study protocol and follow-up schedule.
  • Evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic disease or any concurrent condition which in the Principal Investigator's opinion makes it undesirable for the patient to participate in the trial or which would jeopardize compliance with the protocol.
  • Participation in any clinical trial that prevents randomization of the subject to either strategy.
  • Clinical evidence of skin infection at the potential site of IPC placement.
  • Current or prior IPC placement, or any intervention to manage recurrent malignant pleural effusion on the contralateral hemithorax (excluding thoracentesis).

🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.

📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)

  • University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center — Houston, Texas

📞 Contact the Study Coordinator

Phone: (877) 632-6789

Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.

💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

Explore by condition: All Advanced Cancer clinical trials

💡 How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
🏛️ View Official NIH Record ↗