Fluid in lung cavity

[Mary180]

I had Ovarian Cancer Stage 111, Nov 006, surgery, 6 rounds of chemo finished April 2007 and a recurrence Aug 07 with one round of new chemo, caelyx, Sept 07. Recently, I had 2.5 litres of fluid in my lung cavity and 2 litres drained from that area. My question is, "What does this mean?". How will this new development be treated? Is this a serious development?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Mary,

Was the fluid sent for analysis? Are there cancer cells in the fluid?

Fluid in the lungs can mean several hings depending on the other medical history of an individual:
-recurrence cancer
-infection
pulmonary embolism (blood clot to the fluid
-heart failure

The way to sort out what the fluid means is to drain it and send the fluid for cytology (a check fro cancer cells) , culture ( a check for infection). Additionally, a chest CT scan can rule out blood clots and look for other lung lesions. An ultrasound of the heart (cardiac echo ) can check for heart failure.
You should ask your doctor about these possibilities

best wishes

[Kimchi]

I had liquid in my left lung before being diagnosed and this is what put me into Stage 4 category.  

I have noticed that most people stop the chemo after 6 rounds and then recurre not too long after.  Perphas stopping after 6 rounds is too soon..  Anyone know if there is any statistics on recurrance time lapse after stopping standard regiment (6) and stages ?

[rmarie]

I don't know wher AJAY has come from all of a sudden, or why he is pushing pet scans with his phone number in India.  Maybe he/she wants us to go there to get them.  The phone code is AFGHANISTAN.

[AJAY115]

hi ,

there might be many possibility first check for any malignancy in that fluid and them also check for your CA-125 and if possible do a pet-ct to rule out any severe recurrence.