pleural effusion...

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roseanne
roseanne Member Posts: 50
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Wondering if anyone has had pleural effusion/pleurisy with concern of metastasis? 12 year survivor, have had pleural effusion 2x treated this time with strong antibiotics and steroids. Doc not saying much, just that I will need more tests. This is painful, and causes shortness of breath. any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

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  • blondiex46
    blondiex46 Member Posts: 5,712
    edited January 2013

    yea I do, had 800cc drained in September.....nothing since.

    Sandy

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  • hopeforlife
    hopeforlife Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2013

    Hi Roseanne,

    I can totally see why you are concerned. Pleaural effucions whether exudative or transudative are concerning however there are many benign conditions that can cause them. So a couple of questions for you:

    1) Did you have a recent CT of the chest? And if you have, did it show any signs of mets?

    2) Seems like you had a similar scare couple of years ago. I am sure they must have sent your effucion for cytology. Do you remember what it turned out to be?

    I wouldn't paniic at this point. Seems like you have had scares like these before and they turned out to be benign. Keeping my fingers crossed for you and please keep us posted with the results of your findings.

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  • roseanne
    roseanne Member Posts: 50
    edited February 2013

    I will return to the primary Dr. tomorrow. I have never had fluid drained. Only CT scans to see that it has cleared. I imagine he will order a ct. My condition has improved, with steroids and 10 days of levaquin. They referred to a small right lobe lung collapse, and there is still pain in my right back ribs. I am hopeful that all will be clear. Thank you for your post. My fingers are crossed also!

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  • mandymoo
    mandymoo Member Posts: 815
    edited February 2013

    hi roseanne, I had a pleural effusion in November 2012 and 5 litres was drained. ct scan and mri discovered mets to liver, lung and brain. I already had mets to bone previously. I hope you have all your tests xox.

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  • Annie62
    Annie62 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited February 2013

    Roseanne,

    Pleural effusions can be related to an infection/bad case of the flu/pneumonia. But given your history of breast cancer, you need to make sure your doctor looks closely at this. I just had pleural effusions drained in October. I know how awful you must feel. Once they were drained I was a million times better. As for scans, if there are mets only in your pleura they may only show up on a PET scan as opposed to a CT scan. Mine did not show up (they were too small to be seen with CT) but did light up the PET scan.

    I hope your effusions are cleared up very soon and that its due to an infection of some sort that antibiotics completely eradicate.

    Annie

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  • roseanne
    roseanne Member Posts: 50
    edited April 2013

    Thank you for your input everyone. I went to my old oncology practice to see a new Dr. (My other Dr. retired). She was a young, articulate woman. The pain in the rib area worsened since the original pleural effusion. I recovered from that bad bronchial bout, but continued with rib pain radiating in my back. The X-ray at the end of Jan.(ordered by the Primary Dr.) showed small right lung collapse, no mention of fracture. The new Onc prescribed narcotic meds., and ordered a PET/CT scan.  Tumor markers were ok if they are statistically signifigant, the old Dr. sayid he never paid attention to them except while in treatment, (27.29-19) but (CEA elevated 2.5) Also deficient Vit. D. Insurance denied the PET. She then ordered a bone scan. (I am 12 years out of stage 3, er+ 4 nodes. Radical mastectomy 8 rounds of chemo with methrotrexate added 5 years of Arimidex and 2 years of Femara) I am now 57.

    Bone scan shows ribs 5 through 8 are fractured. The Dr. has not seen the report yet. Nurse left a message saying she doesn't think it is metastasis. I am not thrilled with a nurse telling me she doesn't think it is metastasis. I will call the Dr. on Monday if she does not call me. I stopped investigating on my own. I feel quite vulnerable. The scan picture the patient sees looked like 4 white stripes if that means anything. (Lack of uptake?)

    Would be grateful if anyone has personal experience like this. I would like to broaden the post..but I am not sure how. Feel free to pass it on. Thanks, and blessings on your day.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited April 2013

    Roseanne, did you have rads? Last time I saw my breast surgeon for follow-up, he told me, with some awe, that he had seen broken ribs from rads 10 years out. At the time, I thought, gee thanks, dude! But I really hope that is "all" yours is.

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  • roseanne
    roseanne Member Posts: 50
    edited April 2013

    I did not have radiation, and the fractures are on the other side. I have been reading about how radiation can cause fractures. Thank you

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  • lovetodance1
    lovetodance1 Member Posts: 62
    edited April 2013

    CEA 2.5 IS NORMAL

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  • roseanne
    roseanne Member Posts: 50
    edited April 2013

    Sorry-reversed that. CEA 5.2. The Dr. will return from vacation tomorrow, and hopefully all will be well.

    Thanks,

    Roseanne

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