Anyone had Pleural Effusion with lung cancer? How was it treated?

My husband was also diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in 2021, Stage 3 Adenocarcinoma. His was unresectable so he was given Chemo and Radiation. He later developed Plural Effusion and Pneumonitis. For the Plural Effusion his doctor drained off 1.5 liters one time only, and since then he only has a small amount of fluid - not enough to require draining again. His scans have all been clear and he is almost at the two year remission mark. There was talk about giving him Immunotherapy, but for some reason his doctor is no longer going that route. We don’t know if it is because of his age (67) or some other reason. Are you scheduled for Immunotherapy?

Thanks for your information, I did chemo and radiation, plural effusion is being drained for 5 months now. I'm not doing Immunotherapy, I'm taking targeted medications

Integrative therapies, using other non-toxic treatments and supplements to fight cancer and heal.

I’ve been struggling with a chronic cough due to pleural effusion post surgery

Can I ask how they determined to drain it?

Chronic cough after ChemoRadiation led to CT scan which showed the Pleural Effusion, and then did a Bronchoscopy to rule out infection. My husband said the draining procedure was much simpler than he ever expected it to be. They removed 1.5 liters and the cough pretty much went away.

Hi @hon @jennkrumz @kathystl @rockstar22, I merged your helpful discussion about pleural effusion and lung cancer to this existing discussion so you can also connect with @kkckkjm @stanleykent @tmauko @texasmimi. Click the link to read the discussion from the beginning.
- Anyone had Pleural Effusion with lung cancer? How was it treated? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pleural-effusion/

@jennkrumz, you were asking about integrative medicine.
"ntegrative medicine uses an evidence-based approach to treat the whole person — your mind, body and soul. Your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs are all involved, so integrative medicine uses a combination of therapies. It “integrates” conventional approaches and complementary therapies to achieve optimal health and healing."

More and more cancer centers include integrative medicine in cancer care. Here's more information about integrative medicine and cancer care at Mayo for example:
– Integrative medicine https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/complementary-alternative-medicine/about/pac-20393581

@hon, how are you doing on the new medication? How is the pleural effusion?

My husband had a pleural effusion last January and was hospitalized to have biopsies and a Pleurx drain placed. 9 liters were drained in hospital and I drained about 2-3 more liters when he came home over 3 weeks. Week 4 there was no longer any fluid. However he was started on immunotherapy (opdivo/yervoy combo) a week after leaving the hospital. So that combined with the PleurX dried up the pleural effusion and it was removed 5 weeks after diagnosis/biopsies/drain placement. He has been on this immunotherapy for a year and done remarkably well. No more effusion and the Mesothelioma has reduced somewhat (lower right lung) and all prior symptoms (cough, chest pain, fatigue, chills etc.) are no longer present. He was diagnosed and is being treated at Mayo Rochester Mn. We chose to immediately relocate here upon his diagnosis. His oncologist also enrolled him in a 5 day proton beam radiation trial that worked in conjunction with the immunotherapy. That was in May of last year and scans indicated a reduction of the Mesothelioma afterward.
Mayo has been such a blessing in his expedient care (and with other issues arising from his immune compromised state). I know we made the best decision to sell our home and relocate. He’s doing well. He has scans every 3 months and will have another in March. Also Mayo screened his lab and biopsy tissues for potential Car T cell therapy. He is genetic markers were comparable so now if immunotherapy fails we move to that therapy. His oncologist stated chemo therapy would be a last choice. He was not a surgical candidate. His oncologist stated surgery would decrease the quality of life in his case. He has Biphasic pleural Mesothelioma which is in his right lung and his right pleural area.
I hope this helps. It is a tough cancer and I do hope you find an excellent Mesothelioma oncologist.

I am 7 weeks into my recovery for a VATS lobectomy of my right lower lung. I’ve been in some terrible nerve pain that doesn’t seem to go away. I was recently told I have fluid in the lining of my lung and am scheduled for a thorocentesis. I was wondering whether my pain will subside after it is drained?

Hello. I am sorry you are going thru this. I felt better after each if my thoracentesis but it wasn't so much related to nerve pain, just a big relief . It takes some time to really resolve. I'm at 9 months post surgery and still have soreness.