Does pleural effusion always mean the worst? - Cancer: Lung Message Board

MarkyP · 11-13-2006, 08:27 AM

Hi,

My mother has just been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma after weeks of tests to try and find out what is causing her pleural effusion. We still have no news on what stage the cancer is at, but from what I read, it looks like pleural effusion always goes hand-in-hand with later stages. Is this correct? Is there any chance they could have caught the cancer early? The are treating the effusion with antibiotics as they say it is basically a side effect of pneumonia in conjunction with the cancer! I'm quite confused

Mark

Janmarie2 · 11-13-2006, 10:17 AM

Mark, Sorry to hear about your mom. If a pleural effusion is found to have cancer cells in it ( known as a malignant pleural effusion) the Cancer is at least Stage 111B. If it is found to have spread further it would be Stage IV.

Look for the post titled "symptoms" and read those, usually it is difficult to catch lung cancer in the early stages. Most that I have met that were caught earlier were because of an Xray or CT done for another reason such as pre op for surgery, or after an accident and it just happened to show up on the Xray or CT. If anyone in your family is blaming themselves for not having it caught earlier don't as it often has no symptoms until the later stages.

Feel free to come here for any info or just to vent as people here are very caring and helpful and many of us have been in this battle for some time now. Best of luck and I will add your mom to my prayers, JanMarie

easyrun262 · 11-13-2006, 02:06 PM

Hi Mark- I'm sorry to hear of your Mom's plight. I believe that you came to the right place for feedback and/or support. Sorry for not helping you with your specific question but be assured that I send positive energy and prayers to you and your family. Tom