Mom has BC and Malignant Pleural Effusion

LisaP

My Mom, age 67, was recently diagnosed with Malignant Pleural Effusion which led to a mammogram that showed cancer under in her left breast under her arm.  She had a mammogram just over a year ago that was clean.  I don't know the size of the cancer yet.  She is having a CT Scan on Thursday to know if the cancer is anywhere else.  The doc isn't even sure if the breast cancer is the primary tumor.

The research I've done points to mets and the possibility that it has already spread to the lungs.  I haven't been able to find out if it is possible to have Malignancy in the Pleura without actual cancer in the lungs.  Also, not sure if the proximity of her cancer to the lymph nodes under her arm means that it would be easier to spread through the nodes.  If someone has information on this, please let me know.  

Thank you 

kellyma33

Hi Lisa,

In 1988 I had a radical modified mastectomy (left breast) with 9 out of 19 lympnodes postive. Folow up with Chemo. My tumor was Estrogen/progesteron+

4 years later I had a plural effusion. Fluid was removed with a needle and biopsy of fluid found itpositive for the same breast cancer. Started on Tamoxifen then flew from VA to Texas to meet with a Doctor there. I wanted longevity (we had 4 young kids at that time) Through Mega doses of Chemo and shots to shut down my ovaries I have been in remission for 14 years! Only now has the cancer raised it's ugly head. Two nodes in my chest "lit" up on  a PET scan. To difficult to get to with a needle biopsy. So for now have started on Arimidex.

Hope something here helps! good luck, your Mom is fortunate to have such a caring, concerned daughter.

LisaP

Thank you for your response Kelly,

I can't imagine having children while going through something this difficult.  I'm sorry that it has come back and if you beat it once I hope you can beat it again.  

My Mom's condition has changed quite a bit since I posted.  They found nodules on her omentum on the CT scan.  A few days later she had a bowel obstruction and went into the hospital for 5 weeks.  During surgery for the obstruction it was found that she had tumours on the peritoneum, omentum, colon and rectum.  They removed a mass off the omentum and part of her colon.  She now has an ostomy bag.  There were too many to remove. 

It took a lot of testing to figure out that she has 2 primary cancers.  Breast cancer (2.5 cm tumor) that spread to the pluera.  And peritoneal cancer - which is difficult to diagnose because it shows up as ovarian cancer.  The tissue on the peritoneum is the same as on the ovary.  So she has ovarian cancer without any cancer on her ovaries...so far.

She is finally at home and has had one chemo treatment.  Thankfully she had no nausea - this time.  She goes every 28 days for 6 months.  Because of the 2 cancers they are doing chemo for the abdomen as it is the more serious of the 2.  They will do surgery on her breast after the last chemo treatment.  She is on Carboplatin and Paclitaxel.  

If the chemo isn't showing that it is working they will be doing a historectomy as well.  They have given her 25% to survive 5 years.  It's something.  We'll take it.  We are so very thankful for home care coming 3 times a day as she lives alone and I'm an hour away so I can't always be there.

 I wish you all the best.  And I'm so very happy that you were able to raise and enjoy your children.  

kellyma33

Wow Lisa, what to say? I am so so sorry for everything your Mom is going through. Cancer is such an insidious disease. I hope and pray that in all other ways her body, mind and emotions are strong. It sounds as if you are a very caring, concerned daughter. Education about our dieseas is one of the best weapons we have. Keep reading and searching..there is lots out there.

Does your Mom like to use the internet? Perhaps she might make some connections on this website with other women experencing  similar cancers.

Take Care of yourself as well.

~Kelly