Pleural effusion

Sig

Hi all, not sure where to post this one but here it is. I had a breast MRI one month ago and just got a copy and it says:

1. no evidence of local tumor recurrence on the right

2. no evidence of malignancy on the left.

3. tiny sliver of right pleural effusion is seen. Chest radiograph suggested for correlation.

BI-RADS 2 (Benign finding)

here is my question. is any of you ever had a pleural effusion and is it something I should worry about. Is further test should be done. I have search on the internet and does not seems a good thing  to have pleural effusion but the report say no evidence of malignancy so I am confused. I have not heard anything from my oncologist and does not seems that she will book me for an chest x ray. I am seeing my oncologist in two weeks so should I call her or wait until I see her in two weeks.

tks.

Sig

Mouser

Hi Sig --

I've never had pleural effusion, but until someone else comes along, maybe i can help a bit. I really don't think you should wait 2 weeks to have this checked out -- whatever is causing it (and that ranges from infection to cancer) needs to be identified. Radiation is one cause -- not sure how recent that has to be though. You were diagnosed around the same time i was, and it seems a bit long to get lung symptoms now. But i don't really know; i'm just sure that you should see someone asap -- preferably your onc, but maybe your primary care doctor if the onc is really not worried. It's also possible the onc didn't read everything in the report, just the parts about no evidence of cancer, and needs to have her mind jogged.

All the best, and hugs. You shouldn't be left to deal with this on your own. 

Sig

Hi Mouser, I did follow your advice and call my oncologist today, unfortunatly she was away this week, so spoke to the nurse and she said that the Dr read the report and was probably planning to discuss this with me on my next appt (in 2 weeks) as it is a tiny pleural effusion. She said that the dr will probably order more tests. She will leave a note to the Dr for next monday about my worried. By the time I see the dr it will be 6 weeks that I had my mri, I still find this a long waiting time, strange that the dr did not order more test yet. I read that femara could cause pleural effusion and post radiation too, so hope it is nothing serious. I am glad that I called otherwise I would be anxious for another two weeks which is not good.

thank you for responding and all the best to you also

Sig