ztweb Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Dad got the results from the CT...shows slight pleural effusion on the lung...next week the plan is to biopsy that to see if it one of three things... 1. cancer back 2. infection 3. heart is not doing the job to pump it out Does anyone know anything about any of this? Please, this is making me crazy. Doc gave dad a B+ on his appointment - mom was crying as she wanted an A+...bless her heart. Let me know your thoughts. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laban Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Jen, My husband had a pleural effusion at the end of his treatment in October. Doctor said it should probably go away on it's own. He didn't have any SOB or other symptoms. His PET in December, no pleural effusion. Saying an extra prayer right NOW for your dad to be AOK. Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Jen, Try not to freak out just yet. I've been there, easier said than done . My Dad had a pleural effusion about six months out from treatment and it was benign. They drained at least a cup of fluid and it took about 15 minutes. It was painless for my Dad and the results came back fairly quickly if I remember right. I'll keep your Dad in my prayers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bev'sSister Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Jen, stay in touch with your faith right now. Your Dad is going to have good news and be just fine. Fear is Faith turned inside out. Just a mustard seed's worth is all you need. I will be waiting to hear the good news. Love, Bobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtay Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 My mother-in-law had a pleural effusion - they drained of 2 litres of fluid. She had terrible SOB however when they tested the fluid the results were negative. Keep strong, Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernrol Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Jen, Until you get a biopsy to see if there are any cancer cells in the fluid, you won't know if it is cancer. It could be from an infection from a bad cold. Will keep your dad in my prayers. Stay positive, Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Jen, I also had a pleural effusion that was caused from an infection and radiation side effects. Keep the faith and I will be praying for the best! GOD BLESS!! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teriw Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Hi Jen, From the earlier posts, it sounds like there is more reason to think it's going to be okay than not -- so hang in there until you receive the results. Waiting for results is never a pleasant thing, I know. I said a prayer for your family this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharonjo Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Jen, I am praying for a negative biopsy for your dad. Try to stay strong and wait for the biopsy results. I know this is easier said than don. Just remember how far you and dad have come already! You are warriors, and are not gonna let cancer beastie take any more of your life from you!!!!! God Bless, Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Jen, Any irritation to the lungs can cause effusion. It doesn't have to mean cancer -- especially at this time of year when so many colds turning into lung issues are present everywhere. Tony has had 14 taps ranging from 1/2 liter to 1 3/4 liters on both sides and they never showed any cancer cells. Just filling from irritation related to chemo. Even if the reports come back showing cancer cells, they are just little pissants in the scheme of things to fighters like your Dad! Malignant cells in effusion clear very quickly with any systemic chemo. Keeping everything crossed for good results for your Dad! Hang in there. With much hope, Welthy (Debi) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztweb Posted February 26, 2007 Author Share Posted February 26, 2007 Thanks for all the encouragement. It is so heartwarming to think of you out there praying for me, and my family. Life is most certainly a gift, and I have been given such a wonderful gift with you all. So...tell me this...once one has had cancer, does it mean they will always drain that effusion to see if it is malignant? It appears that way, by your postings....but I know there have to be many more out there with something similar. Let me know your thoughts. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 Jen, It's very possible, if not more likely, that your Dad's effusion will be his only one. Radiation shrinks the lung and the pleural space remains and could fill with fluid. My Dad has never had a pleural recurrence. Hang in there, chances are your Dad won't have one either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinC1973 Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 Jen, I have no answers, I just wanted to offer my support and prayers for you and your family. I always look for updates from you on your dad and I'm so happy to hear he's been doing so well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trish2418 Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 Hi Jen, I developed a pleural effusion at the end of my treatment. My doctors aren't worried about it, though, because there's no uptake, no pain, and my pulmonary function isn't compromised (I walk at least 10,000 steps a day!). It has been shrinking from scan to scan lately, but my pulmonologist doesn't think it will ever be gone completely. It has never been drained. Sending prayers that your dad's effusion is as benign as mine. Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernrol Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 Jen, My right lung pleural area was about ¾ full. They only drained enough for a biopsy and the rest went away by itself. It has never returned. I think once you have had cancer they have to rule it out by test. A PET scan could detect an uptake, but then that is not positive. Like my spot on the hip. They have to rule cancer out. With me they are going to wait a month and check again. I think that if the effusion comes back they would probably want to do another biopsy. It was not my favorite procedure. Let’s pray that it goes away completely like mine and does not return. Stay positive, Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebywater Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 Just sending you ((((hugs)))) and prayers, Jen. Looks like there are a lot of encouraging responses here. Hopefully this B- will be back to an A+ soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 Jen, It depends on how much effusion is present and whether it compromises your Dad's breathing as to whether they have to re-drain. Tony was very unlucky to have so much irritation that both sides kept filling and filling. (Think 2-liter bottle of cola almost full at times.) Very uncomfortable. They didn't always do cytology tests for malignant cells either because he never tested positive each time they did test, so they kind of threw their hands up and said they weren't going to bother testing anymore. The procedure itself is a breeze and believe me, Tony tends to be a squeemy-weemie about stuff like that. So if he thinks it's a breeze, trust me it IS. His effusion finally slowed down and is not enough to tap anymore. Hopefully your Dad's will just be reabsorbed or non-existant in the future. Keep us posted. All the best and continued prayers. Welthy (Debi) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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