ca-125 doxil

[Hazel30]

Hello Dr. Goodman, wanted to follow up with you regarding my Mothers condition.  Finally after 2 months we've figured out that my Mom has SOD sphincter of oddi dysfunction after the gallbladder surgery.  Seems like no doctors at the hospital at the hospital were willing to look past the cancer and into the issue itself.  Finally after the ERCP procedure she is eating fine, no vomit and no abdominal pain.  The new cancer issue that she does have after Gemzar became resistant is pleural effusion.  She already had it tapped 3 times within 2.5 weeks, 1 lt each time.  Her doctor is now talking about putting a tube in.  I know there are two ways of doing it, which would you recommend?  She is due to come out of the hospital tomorrow and probobly resume her job next week.  She is also receiving her 2nd doxil treatment this friday.  Also how long after doxil should we see some results.
thank you for your time.
Fiana

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Fiana,
thank you for the follow up.
At this point your mother has had the pleurodesis. How is she doing?
Short term side effects include local pain and fever.
Usually most people are comfortable long term. The pleurodesis causing scarring between the lining of the lung (pleura) and the chest wall. So for some people , they might have a catch or a little tug of pain when they take a deep breath.
take care

[Hazel30]

Hello Dr.  MPE: melignant pleural effusion

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi Fiana

it sounds like a good choice for your mother.

I am sorry but I am not sure what MPE stands for
let me know
best wishes

[Hazel30]

Hello Dr. we've spoken to the doctor and they will be doing pleurodesis under general anesthesia with talc.  I know this method has the highest success in getting rid of the fluid without recurrence. My new questions are:
Does MPE mean end stages/ end of life?
If the pleurodesis does work 100%, complete recovery, and no fluid comes back does that increase her life expectancy more then if it only works 50%, partial recovery, meaning the fluid will come back in several months?  Is there any permanent affects of having pleural effusion which will decrease her life expectancy?

Thank U
Fiana