Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Juanyin Decoction （decoction to eliminate rheum） combined with pleural chemotherapy and radiofrequency hyperthermia on malignant pleural effusion. Methods Totally 105 patients were randomized into the pleural chemotherapy group of 34 cases

pleural chemotherapy + radiofrequency hyperthermia group of 35 cases and pleural chemotherapy + radiofrequency hyperthermia + Juanyin Decoction group of 36 cases. The pleural chemotherapy group was given pleural injection of 40 mg cisplatin on the 1st

8th and 15th day of treatment. The pleural chemotherapy + radiofrequency hyperthermia group was given pleural chemotherapy and radiofrequency hyperthermia twice weekly. The pleural chemotherapy + radiofrequency hyperthermia + Juanyin Decoction group was given pleural chemotherapy

radiofrequency hyperthermia and Juanyin Decoction one dose daily. The treatment lasted for 3 weeks. The efficacy of pleural effusion and quality of life （QOL） were evaluated. The T lymphocyte subsets and natural killer （NK） cells were detected and the related adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment. Results The total effective rate

clinical benefit rate and QOL efficacy in the pleural chemotherapy group was 38.24%

61.76% and 32.35% respectively. The total effective rate

clinical benefit rate and QOL efficacy in the pleural chemotherapy + radiofrequency hyperthermia group was 65.71%

74.29% and 57.14% respectively. The total effective rate

clinical benefit rate and QOL efficacy in the pleural chemotherapy + radiofrequency hyperthermia + Juanyin Decoction group was 66.69%

94.44% and 80.56% respectively. The clinical benefit rate and QOL efficacy in the pleural chemotherapy + radiofrequency hyperthermia + Juanyin Decoction group was significantly higher than those in other two groups （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. The levels of CD3+

CD4+

CD4+/CD8+ and NK cells were significantly decreased but the CD8+ level was significantly increased in the pleural chemotherapy group after treatment （P<0.05）. There were significant differences between the pleural chemotherapy + radiofrequency hyperthermia + Juanyin Decoction group and other two groups in the levels of T lymphocyte subsets and NK cells after treatment （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. Conclusion Juanyin Decoction combined with pleural chemotherapy and radiofrequency hyperthermia can obviously control pleural effusion and improve QOL and immune function. The combo therapy has a synergistic and superimposed therapeutic advantage.