Post-Lobectomy Pleura build up - does it ever resolve on its own?

I had recurrent pleural effusions starting after my LUL lobectomy for cancer. Had only one positive node. I had to have three procedures to drain the fluid, about a month apart because it really interfered with my ability to breathe. It still continued so for about 6 weeks I had an indwelling pleural catheter that was drained every week. You really want to avoid this if you can. Gradually the fluid amount lessened and I finally convinced people to take it out. Continue to have some fluid accumulate but not interfere with my breathing.

Thank you for your response and I'm sorry you had to go through all of that!! How do I avoid it? Just keep exercising? Spirometer? Or is this type of thing uncontrollable or unavoidable for some people?

I had a wedge resection RUL and ten months later I had sharp pain with deep breath and other side pains. A CT scan in ER showed I had pleural buildup. Two inflammation marker blood tests were significantly elevated. My pulmonologist was out so I waited until his return because taking a sample is not without risk. He ordered another CT scan and the pleural buildup had decreased. Final diagnosis - etiology unknown, but it did just go away.

Interesting, and good to know. I'm sorry you had to endure that though. Glad to hear yours cleared up. I'm hoping for the same but I am being mindful of it and will let my doc know if it worsens. Thank you for your response!!

Welcome to Connect @beatles4ever. I hope you find support and answers here. I'm so sorry to hear of your ROS1 diagnosis. There are too many young-ish people being diagnosed with mutation driven lung cancers. I was diagnosed with stage IV ALK positive lung cancer months before my 50th birthday. I'm 53 now.
I'm glad that they found yours when they did, but I'm sure it doesn't help with the worrying. Keep us posted on the pleura fluid, and potential biopsy. This roller coaster is never fun.

Hi, and thank you so much for the reply and the support!! Yeah, I'm still in limbo until I meet with my oncologist (at the U of M) in 2 days. He is supposed to be meeting with fellow oncologists and tumor board tomorrow and will discuss me case. Then I go in Wednesday and find out what is next. The anxiety is a real bummer. Pleura fluid is still uncomfortable but I'm breathing okay! Pulse oximeter I have at home is between 97-99% consistently, which is good at least. I walk every morning regardless.. I need to get stronger and hopefully avoid any complications from surgery on top of this pleura (which occurred after the surgery). I am hoping they can tell me there's a targeted therapy for me. Please keep positive thoughts. I appreciate it! 🙂

I had a pleural effusion since my lung cancer bi-lobectomy in 2000. Twenty three years later it is still there. No one has ever suggested draining it and I have never asked.

WOW!!! Really? Does it bother you at all? Mine feels really weird. Unless it's just still swelling from my surgery that I'm feeling.. do you have any trouble breathing or anything like that?

Here is what my Ct scans usually say, "PLEURA: Small right pleural effusion. No pneumothorax.".

My lung cancer surgery at age 46 has always bothered me for the last 23 years. I noticed shortness of breath immediately after surgery. I also have permanently elevated pulse. My pulse when I sleep drops down to mid 80's and while I'm awake just sitting it is generally in mid 90's. My O2 runs about 95% sitting and can rapidly drop to 85% walking.

I tried for the first 10 or 15 years to keep walking and took lots of yoga classes (sometimes 6 hours yoga per week) but eventually I simply gave up trying to regain my breathing. It was hard but I accepted that I would never be able to run up a flight of stairs, or walk up hill very far again without doubling over from shortness of breath. It was hard thing to accept.

I have no idea about draining plural effusions but it has never been suggested to me. I think maybe there is risk of lung collapse or maybe there is risk of creating more scar tissue which might complicate reading future CT scans.

I had the traditional thoracotomy because VATS was not widely available back in 2000. Plus I had very large 10-12 cm tumor. My scar still hurts especially on chilly wet days. I've learned to ignore the pain, tuck it away in the back of my mind. Your recovery might be better. Perhaps there are better ways to deal with these things now. I hope so. Just letting you know from my perspective as a 23 year survivor.

First of all, congratulations on 23 YEARS!! That's a blessing and I'm so glad to hear it. May I ask what stage the cancer was? Also, I'm so sorry to hear that it has resulted in these challenges with breathing, etc. Seems like nowadays there would be something they could do to help you, but I understand the acceptance and just move-on thing. It sounds to me like you've done a wonderful job of dealing with things. 🙂