Second Pleuradesis?

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Phoebegal
Phoebegal Member Posts: 10
edited August 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

I have been reading these posts for a while now and have found them to be informative and comforting. So I finally joined! I have a question that I hope can be addressed.

I am stage IV with mets to the bone and lung pleura. Diagnosed 11/2014.

So here's what I want to talk about: I had a pleuradesis done on my left lung at the end of March of this year. It was successful and now the pleural effusion has switched to the right lung. I am going to have a third thorosentesis on the right side later this week. I hate the symptoms and would like to improve my quality of life. Also, I know that I cannot keep having thorosenteses done indefinitely. The ideal situation would be for my meds to dry up the pleural effusion, but so far that has not happened.

Since the pleuradesis procedure was relatively painless and successful, I am exploring the possibility of having another one done on the right side. The oncologist that I am no longer going to (for many good reasons) was adamant that I cannot have a second pleuradesis. My current oncologist says it would be fine. Of course, I will consult with a lung specialist, but what I was wondering is this:

Has anyone any information on -- or actually had-- a second pleuradesis done? Thanks in advance.

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  • Longtermsurvivor
    Longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,438
    edited June 2016

    Hi Phoebe Girl,

    Welcome! It's lovely to meet you, though I'm sorry it's under these circumstances!

    I too have pleural mets with pleural effusion, mine on my left side. And in 2012 I had a VATs pleuradesis procedure to seal the two lung linings together with talc. The effusion has ceased, though the pleural tumors remain.

    Since only one side was affected, I didn't have the same issue as you - hoping for long term relief rather than short term relief from thoracentesis procedures. And not knowing whether a second lung can be done.

    Your obvious next step is to meet with the thoracic surgeon who did your pleuradesis procedure, since s/he will be able to tell you about the risks and benefits of having your other lung sealed via pleuradesis.

    If that option is off the table, I encourage you to ask about an indwelling drain for the effusion. I've had an indwelling drain for ascites (fluid in the abdomen) since August and am so grateful. It does limit me to showers - no more bathing, swimming or hot tubbing. And it requires frequent draining because my body keeps building up more fluid. The name of my system is Aspira. There's another system called Pleurex. Installation is an out-patient procedure done by interventional radiologists, rather than the in-patient pleuradesis procedure done by a thoracic surgeon.

    I've heard of/from several women who used the drain whose pleural effusion dried up linings sealed naturally (without talc!). Then, the drain was removed and treatment was able to control the cancer.

    Good results can be had!

    Phoebe Girl, I wish good results for you and look forward to learning what your lung doctor says!

    warmly, Stephanie



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  • yogaaddict
    yogaaddict Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2016

    Hi Phoebegal,

    My mother (Stage IV, diagnosed May 2012 liver, bone, pleural mets) had a successful VATS Pleurodesis done in November last year on the right lung. At the moment Xeloda is controlling the pleural effusion on the left side, but her thoracic surgeon has told us that as soon as fluid starts to build up again he will schedule her for a second VATS Pleurodesis.

    I hope that whatever route you take you are able to deal with your effusion soon.

    Cheers,

    Lisa

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  • Phoebegal
    Phoebegal Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    Thank you for your kind response. The information was helpful!

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  • Phoebegal
    Phoebegal Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    Thanks for responding! I appreciate the information.

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  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited June 2016

    I have an in-dwelling catheter now on the left side. I had one on the right side for about 3 or 4 months and the pleura spontaneously pleurodesed and they took it out. I'm hoping for the same result on the left side soon - my quality of life has so improved, even thought I can't go swimming until the left side catheter comes out. The comparison from the NIH shows a more favorable quality of life with the catheter (mine is Pleurx) and I'm glad my pulmonologist in agreement with my MO went this way. It is a day surgery, both in and out. You are sore for a couple days after, but then it's pretty easy.

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  • Phoebegal
    Phoebegal Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    Thank you for your reply. I believe that is the way I am going to go as well rather than having a pleuradesis. Much less invasive and no hospital stay. Quality of life is foremost.

    I wish you well.

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  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited June 2016

    Good luck my friend - half the time I forget the darn thing is there!

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  • Phoebegal
    Phoebegal Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    Thank you! Anything about this journey that can be forgotten is a blessing.

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  • Valz
    Valz Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2016

    I too had pleural effusion on my left side. I was told that ibrance would clear it up eventually and so I had a weekly thoracentesis so I could breath and talk at the same time. Eventually the ibrance did work and I haven't had to have a thoracetecis for over 6 months now.

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  • Phoebegal
    Phoebegal Member Posts: 10
    edited August 2016

    Valz: That's wonderful for you! So glad that the Ibrance helped.

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  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited August 2016

    Although I was offered Ibrance, they wanted to put in the Pluerx regardless. Perhaps because my pleural effusion was bilateral which would have meant two thoracentesis per week and they don't like doing a lot of them because they cause scarring. Also part of one lung was collapsed which if it continuously happens, can end up being permanent.

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