Malignant Pleural Effusion

[Shumaf]

My father is recently diagnosed with malignant pleural effusion (water on the lungs).

I think this is worse than all the bone and lymph node mets from the PCA.

The water on the lungs also contents small cell type cancer. The doctors sounds pessimistic because of the amount of fluid they removed and the fact that it returned again. His physical condition is also not good. Anybody has experience with this condition? Any feedback would be highly appreciated.

[Advo__cate]

I'm sorry your dad is suffering, hard times, for sure. I agree with you in that this is probably worse than bone and lymph mets.

The only experience I have with this is through a friend that had breast cancer. I don't know of any other procedures other than draining the fluid but at some point her lungs were refilling a day or so later after having the fluid removed...at some point towards the end of the removing the fluid she made the decision for hospice care.

Praying for you and your family.

[Shumaf in reply to Advo__cate]

Thank you. I think we will have him also at home soon. I am only hoping that his condition improves so that we may consider some palliative chemo or something. But currently he needs only some relief.

[DenDoc]

Schumaf, I have small cell cancer on the pleura of my left lung which was prostate cancer now transformed. My malignant effusion began last February with huge amounts. They implanted a PleurX catheter which allowed us to drain the fluid at home. I then did about 4 months of chemotherapy with etoposide and carboplatin. The tumors have not grown and my fluid drainage has stopped. I had the catheter removed last week.

I do not have any other known mets and my health is generally good once I recovered from the chemo side effects.

It sounds like your Dad is more advanced.

You can read my clinical story on my profile.

I hope he can get some relief. It is an awful feeling when you cannot breathe.

Bob

[Shumaf in reply to DenDoc]

Thank you very much Bob for sharing your story. It is very encouraging. Did you have biopsy from your pleura? Any marker to follow? What was your Chromogranin A then and what is it now?

God bless you

[DenDoc in reply to Shumaf]

Yes, I finally had a pleural biopsy done in late February. This was when the small cell cancer was noted. Tissue was sent to Foundation One for genetics. It showed that my tumor has " GEP with ATM mutation.

Of note, MSI-S, low tumor burden indicating poor chance of responding to immunotherapy." My oncologist is planning to start me on Olaparib next when the cancer reactivates. My next PET scan will be in January.

Right now I am on a treatment holiday and feeling great again.

They do not seem to be following Chromogranin.