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

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

Tanja. As I was told, pleural effusions are caused by some other condition or illness and the remedy is to to treat the cause and the body should clear the fluid. I had some pleural effusion 6 months after lung surgery and was gone at my 12 month check. This is quite normal. After my second lung surgery there was a bit more fluid and and they removed it. ( Procedure was called Thoracentesis ) The lab tested the fluid and indications pointed the possible cause to be my lymphoma or still could be from my most recent surgery. We decided to just watch it. A couple months later I had a CT and more fluid removed with the same lab results and was decided to treat my lymphoma, which started last Tuesday. All this was at Mayo in Rochester. At the moment, I expect I have some fluid in my left chest currently and they're planning a CT in about 3 months to check on effusion and lymphoma. Unless, of course, if the fluid increased and had loss of breath, fatigue, etc they would investigate sooner.
Could you describe a bit more of how you are feeling and what testing and procedures have been completed? Am hoping your questions can be answered. It is just so challenging... mentally and physically. Stan

@tmauko, fellow lung cancer members like @texasmimi @gigi123 @stanleykent can tell you about their experiences with pleural effusion. @merpreb explains more here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/728805/

Pleural effusions are very common, with approximately 100,000 cases diagnosed in the United States each year, according to the National Cancer Institute. It can be treated.

What treatment approach is being recommended for you Tanja? Are you have trouble breathing? Pain?