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

Posted by tmauko @tmauko, Aug 26, 2022

Hello, my name is Tanja and I am just wondering if anyone has been diagnose with pleural effusion due to lung cancer. If so, how was it treated? Just wondering, I am requesting a second opinion through Mayo, loosing confidence in my doctors here in Toronto. Thank you

Tanja

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tedvoelker | @tedvoelker | Mar 8 8:59pm
In reply to @tmauko "Good Morning, right now all that is being done is draining the fluid. I have a..." + (show)
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Good Morning, right now all that is being done is draining the fluid. I have a tenckhoff catheter on my left side, but other than that nothing. I did have Chemo earlier this year, and thats about it. This is why I am looking for an addition opinion. I am getting frustrated. I am feeling ok as long as the fluid is kept under control. No pain. The breathing can be an issue if there is a large amount of fluid build up. I have oxygen as back up. My oxygen sats are between 89 & 93%. I'm trying to gather as much info as possible. Thank you very much!

Tanja

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Tanya I’m in Collingwood and travel to Barrie for a weekly thoracentesis. Have talked with a thoracic surgeon and wasn’t convinced a permanent tube was the answer. So at this time the only way to treat the pleural effusion is with the thoracentesis.

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Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Jan 24 2:06pm
In reply to @dnmca "Hi Lisa and Colleen, my oncologist started me on tagrisso this week (EGFR mutation) and we..." + (show)
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Hi Lisa and Colleen, my oncologist started me on tagrisso this week (EGFR mutation) and we have scheduled 4 chemo sessions starting next week. Pleural effusion is so bad that I had (4) thoracensis already, will have pleurx in another week. To add to my agony, they found 3 (abt 6-9 mm) supratentorial hemorrhagic lesions, concerning for hemorrhagic metastases on my MRI. I would be referred to a neuro as well.

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Oh @dnmca, this sounds like a rough time for you. I hope you're able to see that these difficulties won't last forever. Focus on getting better, if you can yet. How was your first week of chemo?

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dnmca | @dnmca | Jan 16 2:03am

Hi Lisa and Colleen, my oncologist started me on tagrisso this week (EGFR mutation) and we have scheduled 4 chemo sessions starting next week. Pleural effusion is so bad that I had (4) thoracensis already, will have pleurx in another week. To add to my agony, they found 3 (abt 6-9 mm) supratentorial hemorrhagic lesions, concerning for hemorrhagic metastases on my MRI. I would be referred to a neuro as well.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 11 1:17pm
In reply to @dnmca "Hi, I exeprienced shortness of breath just this month and had to go to the ER...." + (show)
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Hi, I exeprienced shortness of breath just this month and had to go to the ER. Their diagnosis was metastatic lung adenocarcinoma from fluid analysis (pleural effusion) from my thoracentesis 2 weeks ago. cytology report shows positive in mesothelial cells. Are there any targetted therapies for mesothelial cells. Any advice will be helpful. I will be meeting the oncologist tomorrow. thanks.

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@dnmca, I thought I'd check in to see how you are doing. Did you learn more about your treatment plan?

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Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Jan 11 9:33am
In reply to @dnmca "Hi, I exeprienced shortness of breath just this month and had to go to the ER...." + (show)
Profile picture for dnmca @dnmca

Hi, I exeprienced shortness of breath just this month and had to go to the ER. Their diagnosis was metastatic lung adenocarcinoma from fluid analysis (pleural effusion) from my thoracentesis 2 weeks ago. cytology report shows positive in mesothelial cells. Are there any targetted therapies for mesothelial cells. Any advice will be helpful. I will be meeting the oncologist tomorrow. thanks.

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Hi @dnmca, I'm sorry to hear that you're facing this diagnosis. Lung cancer can be complicated, as there are many different types. I'm not aware of a targeted therapy related to mesothelial cells. How was your visit with the oncologist? What did they offer for treatment or next steps?

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dnmca | @dnmca | Jan 2 3:00am

Hi, I exeprienced shortness of breath just this month and had to go to the ER. Their diagnosis was metastatic lung adenocarcinoma from fluid analysis (pleural effusion) from my thoracentesis 2 weeks ago. cytology report shows positive in mesothelial cells. Are there any targetted therapies for mesothelial cells. Any advice will be helpful. I will be meeting the oncologist tomorrow. thanks.

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2 replies
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hlolson | @hlolson | Jul 13, 2023
In reply to @lls8000 "@hlolson, I have the ALK gene mutation, and my history seems similar to yours. I take..." + (show)
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@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.

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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.

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Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Jul 13, 2023
In reply to @hlolson "I have been on both crizotinib and entrectinib in the past nine months for Roca1 gene..." + (show)
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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.

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@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.

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1 reply
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hlolson | @hlolson | Jul 13, 2023
In reply to @lls8000 "Hi @hlolson, I'm glad the crizotinib is helping! If you don't mind sharing, is your cancer..." + (show)
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Hi @hlolson, I'm glad the crizotinib is helping! If you don't mind sharing, is your cancer caused by the ALK gene mutation?

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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.

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1 reply
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Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Jul 11, 2023
In reply to @hlolson "I totally understand how painful pleural effusions are; I pray it can be resolved quickly with..." + (show)
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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

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

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