Just Diagnosed Through Pleural Effusion

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Posoutlook
Posoutlook Member Posts: 8
edited April 2017 in Just Diagnosed

I was diagnosed with triple negative, stage 2 breast cancer at 37. Did chemo and a mastectomy. 17 years later I was diagnosed with Estrogen Positive breast cancer. There was no lump or tumor anyone could find through Mammograms or exams that I had every year. I just had my PET/CAT yesterday. My doctor does not think it spread to other organs since my blood work was really good. Has anyone else ever have it come back as a pleural effusion only? The left lung had cancer cells and the right one did not (i had most of the lymph nodes removed from that side so it makes sense to me).


Thanks!

Steph

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  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited April 2017

    Just want to send positive vibes to you. I'm also a two-time breast cancer lady. Only I did it in reverse, first ER+/PR+, then triple negative.

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  • HoneyBadger47
    HoneyBadger47 Member Posts: 98
    edited April 2017

    I just wanted to send positive vibes too.

    I hope someone will be able to answer your questions.

    I did see a post by user Helenfaith stating she was misdiagnosed with pneumonia but found out the plural effusion was BC. Not sure if they found a primary tumor in her breast. You might search on her name and reach to her. You all may be able to support each other through this.

    As far as imaging, the only thing I have in common with you is my tumor did not show up on mammo (3D or normal) at all. I found the lump myself when I noticed tethering when I was putting a shirt on. It did show clearly on ultrasound. I don't know how common that is.

    Best of luck getting answers.

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  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited April 2017

    Hey Steph, I was diagnosed and treated for COPD, which wasn't working to relieve my shortness of breath.  Finally they figured out I had bi-lateral malignant pleural effusions.  They were, like my original cancer in 2004, er/pr+ her2-.  I ended up having pleurx catheters first on one side then the other and had spontaneous pleurodesis on both sides after about a year.  I was diagnosed with mets to the bone later, but they were all sclerotic (bone building rather than destroying), which is probably why the first radiologist didn't find them.  I was treated with femara alone for 18 months, but am now on faslodex and Ibrance after progression to my liver.  I was pretty surprised with the cancer diagnosis since it had been 11 years since my original diagnosis and it was pretty much out of my mind, I mean I thought I was cured.  Surprise, surprise!  Is your malignant effusion er/pr+?  There is also a lung met thread you might want to visit.  

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  • Posoutlook
    Posoutlook Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2017

    Wow, was it the same cancer or a new one??

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  • Posoutlook
    Posoutlook Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2017

    My first cancer was like yours. I found it, but took a long time to find someone who would take it seriously. Thanks for the suggestions and kind words!

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  • Posoutlook
    Posoutlook Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2017

    Honey Badger, my first cancer was exactly the same as yours. Took years to get someone to take it serious enough to biopsy! Thanks for the advice and good wishes!!!

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  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited April 2017

    It was the same cancer but only in my lungs.  Here is the link to the lung mets thread.

    Lung mets

    Hug

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  • Posoutlook
    Posoutlook Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2017

    Cive, wow what a story! You've been through so much! Thank you for the advice and you and all of you are in my prayers!

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  • Posoutlook
    Posoutlook Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2017

    Cive, thank you!!! We are waiting on CAT/PET, but they think it is only in my left lung. All my blood work looks great and no sign of breast tumors.

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  • lalady1
    lalady1 Member Posts: 618
    edited April 2017

    Steph - there I was 2+ years cancer free, working full time, fresh from a business trip to New Mexico when I had the worst flu ever - very hard to breath. So drove myself to urgent care on Xmas eve 2015 where they saw fluid in left lung only and sent me to local hospital for lung drain, and a few days later the results: ER+/PR+ HER- cells cruising all around left lung. Happy New Year cancerland. So....saw my UCLA onc in January, started Ibrance+faslodex and Arimidex. CT scan revealed bone mets to sternum and left lung effusion. 12 mos later lung met was gone, so you can do this. Stay positive. (())

    Claire

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  • Sadiesservant
    Sadiesservant Member Posts: 1,995
    edited April 2017

    Hi Steph,

    My story is very similar to Cive's. After almost 16 years from original diagnosis I had a cough I couldn't shake and shortness of breath. In early January I was diagnosed with malignant pleural effusion in my right lung, same type as my original BC, ER/PR+ and HER-. There may be a lesion in my right lung (nothing in the left) but it was difficult to tell as my lung was largely collapsed from the fluid. I also have sclerotic areas in my pelvic bones which could be BC but may also be due to arthritic changes.

    I have a PleurX Catheter in place with lung drainage twice per week. My oncologist originally started me on Taxol as he was concerned about the disease load with the fluid but it did not seem to be having an impact. Now I am on Arimidex and will be starting Ibrance soon (just received word that my health care plan will cover the cost).

    Feeling very positive about this treatment plan. Sending positive thoughts your way.

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  • Posoutlook
    Posoutlook Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2017

    I am so glad you have a positive attitude! I've had health "issues" since age 8. Lost all my colon to Crohn's Colitis, have ITP and my second go at cancer. Our attitude can be our friend or our worse enemy. Thank you for sharing!!!! xoxo

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  • Posoutlook
    Posoutlook Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2017

    So, I got great news last week, relatively speaking of course! There is no tumor and it didn't spread to any other organ. What my cancer is doing is making soft tissue on the pleural wall, so I guess the fluid that is supposed to go in and out freely to lubricate the space between the inside and outside pleura gets trapped. Hence the fluid build up. So, I will be treated with Ibrance (my insurance approved today) and started Femora 4 days ago. So far I am experiencing dizziness and some stomach discomfort (but that can be due to my Crohn's too).


    I am feeling very upbeat and confident about my team at Sibley (a John Hopkin's hospital). I luckily over the years made friends with many of the staff there (I guess almost 30 surgeries will do that for a gal).


    I can tell you that many good intentioned friends are trying to push the alternative therapies like the CBD on me. I try to explain at this point, I was not supposed to make it past 15 years old and since my life was saved then and many times after by great medical folks and lots of prayers, I am going to try that first. ;)


    Thank you all so much for all the stories on this site, after reading so much negative at first, it really kept me from going off the deep end!

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