Loculated Pleural Effusion

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Hello everyone, 

My husband is about to have his 2nd Immunotherapy treatment. So far so good, even if it’s early days.

His breathlessness is getting worse though. We know from X-ray that he has fluid again and he’s had pleural effusion drained twice before.
Today, the consultant told him this one is loculated, meaning it’s harder to drain. She will refer him to see if it’s possible to drain. Has anyone had experience of this? what is the procedure for such a drain? 
Will immunotherapy help dry up such an effusion, eventually? 

Thank you, Gwen 

  • Hi 

    I am sorry to read about your husband. My dad, 73 was diagnosed in June of this year. It lead to diagnosis following a pleural effusion seeing x ray and nodules in pleura showing up on ct scan. A sample failed to show cancer so he was referred to chest surgery for a biopsy to be taken and also to do a pleurodesis ( talc used to seal up the space to prevent future effusions after draining the fluid whilst in there) so far so good no repeat effusions. Sadly my dad had 5 sessions of immunotherapy but they stopped it last week due to disease progression. Heart wrenching. Everyone responds differently though and it depends stage at diagnosis my dad was already stage 2/3. He starts chemo just after Christmas. It’s a truly devastating disease. I wish you and your family the best with his treatment. Best wishes 

    Liz 

  • Thank you Liz. Heart
    I’m so sorry that Immunotherapy stopped working for your Dad. Heart wrenching is right. I hope that the chemo helps him.
    My husband is 70. I’m devastated but trying to keep upbeat for him. I wish you, your Dad and family all the best. Let’s stay in contact x