josiem

[josiem]

daughter in law aged 30, has breast cancer again with pleural effusion. help what to expect ? Scared for her and my son. Also 11month grandaughter. Thanks

[josiem]

You got it right, she had a lumpectomy chemo and radiotherapy before. Sorry to be a pain in the rear but all are concerned. Thanks for help.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Sorry, I'm having difficulty understanding your post.  This is how I understood it.  Your daughter-in-law had breast cancer 5 years ago and was disease-free until she was diagnosed to have a recurrence on both breasts about 5 weeks ago along with the massive pleural effusion?  
Did she undergo surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), systemic treatment with chemotherapy or hormonal therapy, or radiotherapy previously?
A stage 4 disease means that the cancer metastasized to another site.  
For now, it is very important to drain as much fluid as possible to relieve her of the difficulty of breathing.  
Treatment options need to be discussed with her oncologist as there are so many advances in the treatment of breast cancer, with the end point of prolonging overall survival.

[josiem]

Thanks for response.
Diagnosed about 5 weeks ago now, after five year all clear last July.
has two lumps one in each breat, last time just in right breast.
Only treatment so far has been two chest drains, 2ltres each time.
Pleural effusion noticed 5 weeks ago after several trips to GP's who said it was a virus and gave her an inhaler.
Hospital slow, dangerously slow. has had CT scan yesterday, breast biopsys x 2 and reults of fluid positive for cancer but lumps not yet received although say it looks malignent.
Symptoms very very tired, hard to breathe, cannot carry her daughter aged 11months at all, some results to come tomorrow,. Also was just a few weeks pregnant but has now terminated this pregnancy due to her health. Absolutely sh** scared but would like to know the truth as I feel I can help more that way. Do not like the not knowing. My son is like a fuse waithing to explode !! Why does the local hospital darg it's heals so much, is this normal. last time she was in and treated within three weeks.
What exactly is stage 4 ?
Please state it as it is as not knowing is the worst possible situation ever.
Am going to stay with them to help out as soon as possible.
Thanks again, awaiting your response.
Josiem. Jo si also her name.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
I understand what your family is going through.
Just need some clarifications:
When was she diagnosed?
What was the stage of the disease?
What treatment was given to her?
When did the pleural effusion manifest?
What are her symptoms now?

From what you posted, your daughter-in-law has breast cancer recurrence and she developed pleural effusion secondary to lung metastasis.  She now has stage 4 disease.  Treatment goal for stage 4 disease is mostly palliative.
If her pleural effusion is massive, there may be a need to put a chest tube.
Also, second-line treatment can be given to control the disease.