Hi all - I am new to this site. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 14 years ago and had a mastectomy, radiation and chemo. I now have a malignant pleural effusion with backache. I have yet to discuss my treatment but wondered if anyone else had similar secondary symptoms and is doing well? I am really scared as all seems so negative at the moment
Thankyou
Bump… Hope someone can help
Dx
Hi nvlmevans,
Sorry I can’t help. I’ve got bone mets and no experience of pleural effusion. I’m very sorry to hear your news and do understand how scared you must be feeling.
I hope someone who has experience notices this thread and can give you some info and comforting words.When do you see anyone to talk about treatment? I found I felt more in control when I knew what my treatment plan was so hope you are seeing someone very soon.
Maybe a phonecall to BCC might help till then?
Be gentle with yourself and do let us know how you get on.
With very best wishes to you, Julie
HI nvlm,
If you do a search here - make sure you are on the main forum page, and on the pink strip that goes across the page and says ‘Forums’ click on the word ‘search’, then in the page that opens put the words pleural effusion in the top strip and click. It brings up several pages with those words. They will help I am sure till others come along who have experienced this procedure. I think there are several here on this site.
Dawn
xx
Thanks Dawn - I shall try that
I am new to this site also - also diagnosed 14 years ago with surgery, chemo and radiation, recently ds’d with malignant pleural effusion 2 months ago, had a thoracentesis, started on xeloda and just found out fluid has returned. i am there with you
Thankyou - I have read that the fluid can return.
just heard from oncologist, will have another thoracentesis done thursday, she is not concerned, states it takes awhile for xeloda to work! i’m hopeful…
Sounds good. I have heard from the breast care nurse that I will see an oncologist in 2 to 3 weeks time - that sounds a long time to wait. Also there is no confirmation that the cancer cells in the pleural effusion are breast cancer cells although they feel they probably are. Trying to keep positive although in a lot of back pain.
Hi nvleveans,
I had a malignant pleural effusion and dx about 21 months ago. Primary was 20 months prior to that. My first dx was tumour was 1.7mm lump I had A lumpectomy and 15 sessions of radiotherapy. no lymph nodes involved. It took them 6 months to find it and a week to map the cancer cells. The prognosis was poor and I was in a very poor state as the waiting around to be dx and being told countless time that it wasn’t the breast cancer spread.
I had 3 fec and 3 tax which has kept me stable. I have had progression to the lung now but a change in inhibitor has kept everything at bay.
I had a drain done but it was back within a few day, but you can have a plurodesis one is a combination of two talc and there is a sugical plurodesis which is more affective. I haven’t had one but there are quite a few post and they seem to be successful.
The treatment I’m on now is Zoladex injections monthly, Arosamin and I take co codomol and pregamblin for the pain. For me the fluid caused a lots of scar tissue to develop around the bottom of my lung which presses on the nerves. Hopefully you won’t have any of these and I think it was because I was left so long before I was dx.
Very best wishes to you and I hope you are getting the right painkillers as it makes all the difference.
Take care
Chris xx
I had recurring pleural effusions 20 years ago but after investigation it was found that mine were due to infection not malignancy. After having them drained several times over a two week period (kept filling up) I had surgery to have the membranes stuck and a drain in for a day. That stopped it for good.
I well remember the associated pain and the discomfort of the draining procedures so you have my sympathy. I found out that I have some scarring in my lung during the pre-op procedures before my breast surgery.
Wishing you well in your treatment. Two to three weeks seems a long time to wait.
I have just heard that the oncologist appointment is now on Monday - am hoping the cancer cells are related to my previous breast cancer as if it is lung cancer the prognosis is not so good. Thankyou for your comments - it is good to hear that all is not negative
Bumping up the thread for Bubblez
Had oncologist appointment today but no further forward. There is a lot of fluid on the lung that they are going to drain. There is an area between my lungs that they are unsure about. Also they would like to do a biopsy but not sure if it is possible. Awaiting further news tomorrow. Any other ladies with similar experience?
Thankyou
Hi,
I had the fluid drained and they did a biopsy at the same time. It wasn’t a very nice procedure and if I were to have the biopsy again I would ask to be sedated.
At the time of results showed that the cancer hadn’t gone to my lung and the cancer cells were in the fluid. How it was explained to me was that the cancer cells irritate the lining and causes a small hole then the body thinks there is enough fluid to stop your lungs sticking together. In the pleura is about a teaspoon. Then body continues to make the fluid.
Have they discussed any treatment plans with you? I had 3 fec & 3 tax, which kept me stable for a year. The cancer has now progressed to my lung and the oncologist said it was because the lungs are like a river bed with lots of tracks in the lung where the fluid was and thats where the node has started to grow.
It still fairly stable with the Aromasin and I’m still here after a poor prognosis.
I hope you get the news you’ve been waiting for. I can’t believe they haven’t got your treatment sorted out, its the waiting thats the killer.
Take care of yourself
Love
Chris xx
Thankyou all for your support but this forum is no longer applicable to me. I have been told that I probably have lung cancer and not secondary breast cancer. Wishing you all well
nylmevans,
Have you had results of a biopsy or something then? Has it been definitely confirmed?
Obviously it’s good news if you don’t have secondary cancer but still rotten news if it’s lung cancer. My aunt, had lung cancer a couple of years ago and had very effective treatment, she is now doing well and they only need to follow her up annually now.
I do hope that tou will get a treatment plan in place very soon and wish you good results without too many se’s.
Do pop back sometime and let us know how you get on, best wishes, Julie x
Thankyou Julie D
I haven’t had a biopsy yet - I’m waiting for an appointment. The reason the doctors think it is lung cancer is because the cells from the effusion do not match the ones from my breast cancer.
It is a constant waiting game!
I saw a thoracic surgeon today and I am to go into hospital on Monday to have a biopsy, the fluid drained and talc put in. Has anyone else had this procedure? The surgeon said if he was a betting man he would say this was a secondary breast cancer but can’t be sure until after the biopsy
Hi,
Was nice to ‘meet’ you on chat last night.
Glad your appt went ok and they have organized procedure relatively quickly. Can’t help re the draining etc but I have seen deveral women post about it and it seems to work well,so hope it goes well for you.
Have they given you any idea when you’ll get biopsy results? Hope it’s not too long and you’ll have a clearer idea of what’s going on and what your treatment options are.
keep in touch, wisging all the best, Julie