Six months to a year (malignant pleural effusion)

I am just providing an update--so that others with MBC with pleural effusion might find some hope.  I had my last (third)  thoracentesis on December 28 2017.  Started Arimidex on December 15, 2017.  I had another pneumothorax and lung collapse--so January 2018 was a hard month.   But, the good news is that the effusion has steadily receded (based on quarterly chest x-rays) and I no longer have it --along with all of the symptoms.  Still have some scar tissue on the lower lung lobe.  When I asked the oncologist how long this could good result could last--he said "six months or ten years."  There are no guarantees.  Next line of treatment would be Ibrance if there is resistance to Arimidex.  I seem to be tolerating the Arimidex.

 I also participated in a clinical trial for FES-PET scan--which is being tested to see if ER+ cancer can be detected as compared to  (FDG-PET) that only identifies cancerous hot spots.  The FES-PET did show that my cancerous lymph nodes were ER positive--so that helped to reinforce continuing with Arimidex treatment.    Also, my oncologist (at my request) had my cytology read again--and they determined that I was both ER and PR positive (we were not sure about the PR)--again reinforcing that the cancer may respond to just the Arimidex.

I am so sorry to hear about others who continue to have issues with their pleural effusions-- they are so energy draining and painful--and scary.  My thoughts are with you and I hope you find support and continued medical (and emotional) care.

My best wishes to you both as you juggle your lung issues now. I am just home from a first thoracentesis, and hope that if I need more of them, a pleurex cath might be better. Immediately after the procedure, its not really feeling or sounding better. Maybe it takes time to settle down and behave itself! They drained 500ml, so it should help make space for the lung to reinflate its lower section. We can do this!! 🐢 Patience will be my new middle name.