loculated pleural effusion - going out of my mind with worry

[Sharkey1234567]

hello all

can anyone tell me what happens with loculated pleural effusion related to lung cancer.

i am going out of my mind with worry now

thanks in advance

[pt45]

I have the same. When first diagnosed a catheter was used to drain the fluid. Then it dried up and I was told the fluid was loculated. That was about 18 months ago. There's definitely still fluid there but it only gives me minor discomfort. So I don't think there's any great need to worry. I've recently been prescribed a diuretic for oedema in my feet and was told that this might work but so far it's too early to tell. I'll report back if it helps. Good luck.

[Denzie]

My surgeon scheduled me for a talc pleuradesis at the same time I had a cardiac window surgery. They found the loculations and abandoned the talc procedure. Shortly after, surgeons drained fluid from some of the larger of the loculation pockets and placed an indwelling catheter into the largest pocket. The fluids were drained through the catheter (PleurX catheter) for a month before it was removed.

My body reabsorbed the excess fluid from the smaller pockets. The larger one remains 11 years later but doesn’t affect my breathing. It is noted on my follow up CTs, sometimes it’s small enough they don’t find it.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Sharkey1234567

A pleural effusion is a build up of excess water between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs, and this can be usually managed well. Loculated is when there may be fibrotic scar tissue that causes pockets of fluid in the pleural cavity, there are a number of ways the medical team can manage this.

It is only natural to worry but it may help to speak to the lung cancer nurse specialist/oncologist to discuss this, it is not uncommon to have pleural effusion with lung cancer, and clinical management of this can ease the symptoms and make breathing easier.

If there is anything else you would like to discuss you can email ask the nurse at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team