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

I had pleural effusion when diagnosed with lung cancer. They drained it but kept filling up so had to have tube put in so we could drain it every couple of days. Eventually dried up and tube was removed. The results of the pleural is very important and does take a long time to get results. The day before chemo was going to start, the results came back and I was blessed due to a cell mutation and know on tagrisso.

I totally understand how painful pleural effusions are; I pray it can be resolved quickly with just a thoracentesis. Mine, unfortunately was from non small cell lung cancer; but once I started oral
chemo with; Crizotinib(Xalkori) the pain resolved. I hope you get positive answers soon. HLO

@hei59, I hope the CT shows good results. Waiting for results can be very difficult. No matter what country we live in, we all wish the result process was faster. Is he feeling better? Are they continuing to drain fluid?

Hi @hlolson, I'm glad the crizotinib is helping! If you don't mind sharing, is your cancer caused by the ALK gene mutation?

I have been on both crizotinib and entrectinib in the past nine months for Roca1 gene mutation. The crizotinib has far fewer side effects for me, but I have recently had to be treated for two new small brain tumors.

@hlolson, I have the ALK gene mutation, and my history seems similar to yours. I take a different targeted therapy (alectinib). Critzotinib can be used for ALK too, that's why I asked. I hope they find a therapy for you that can keep the brain mets away. This disease seems to let us get comfortable for awhile, and then we're back on the roller coaster.

It was late when I replied last I meant to say I have the Ros1 mutation. I agree, it's so frustrating to know these drugs will not work for longer periods of time. Hopefully it gives the researchers to find different drugs that will continue to work. I pray that you are responding well.