Question 1

stage iv metastatic breast cancer and pleural effusion. what is treatment?

Accepted Answer

Drain fluid: Pleural effusion is fluid that collects in the cavity that holds the lungs.  When fluid builds up, it can prevent the lung from expanding fully so you can breathe.  Worst case scenario is the lung can collapse.  A special tube can be placed in the chest to drain this fluid.  You should be working closely with your oncologist and a thoracic surgeon.

Question 2

i have metastatic breast cancer to my bones. i just had pleural effusion in my lungs. at the same time, my oncologist did a ca27-29 test and it's 5,000. normal is under 40. is this possibly from the effusion? i've had a lot of trouble breathing?

Accepted Answer

: From the info you provided, elevated CA 27.29 is obvious because you have metastatic breast cancer. Pleural effusion in your case is most likely a malignant effusion and if the CA 27.29 was lower before even with bony metastases but now it is elevated, it points out the malignant effusion, a new metastatic source, is the culprit. Pleural effusion causes dyspnea, especially in supine position.

Question 3

what to do if i have triple negative metastatic breast cancer stage iv?

Accepted Answer

Don&#x27;t give up: For starters, find a good oncologist, preferably one who works within a multidisciplinary team and has access to clinical trials. There are too many variables to give you specifics but very likely you will be offered chemo. Depending on the circumstances, surgery or radiation may come to play. You had 3x- cancer before age 60 and fulfill criteria for BRCA testing. If positive (or even if not)...

Question 4

what are signs that someones body is shutting down due to stage 4 metastatic breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

It varies: Advanced cancers lead to increasing impairment of mobility due to weakness, loss of weight or organ failure. Your doctor can help you more by checking the patient.And the reports of their burden of cancer. Anyone who is eating well and fully mobile, is not close to 'shuting down'.

Question 5

i am stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. 1 yr ago it spread to ovaries and i had hysterectomy. do i stil need to have yearly papsmears.

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is recommended to continue with pap smears after a hysterectomy for cancerous reasons. The pap smear will collect cells from your vaginal walls. This is to make sure that potential cancerous cells are not still present after surgery and to rule out the potential development of new ones. Continue paps every 1-2years.

Question 6

my mother, 77, was recently diagnosed w stage iv lung cancer w malignant pleural effusion. she started spitting up yellow bile. is it spreading?

Accepted Answer

This cancer: has poor prognosis.  I think she might be coughing sputum, not bile, and she might have a pneumonia.  Take her to her doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Question 7

is massive pleural effusion in one lung high risk for mastectomy for breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Determine cause: The cause of pleural effusion has to be determined whether it is reactive, may have been due to heart or treatment received, or spread of disease wherein a different treatment modality may be considered, or infectious wherein immunomodulating treatments and surgeries may have to be delayed.

Question 8

about how long can someone live with metastatic breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Highly variable: Depends on where & how much metastatic disease, cell type, response to chemotherapy & underlying medical conditions. Some patients can live many years and some may not do as well.

Question 9

what is a survival rate of women older than 60 who have metastatic breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Survival: It depends upon what type of breast cancer it is er/pr positive? Her2 status and the sites of mets whether bones alone or organs like liver lungs brain etc. On an average women with stage 4 breast cancer are surviving 3-4 years with diagnosis, some longer than that some not.

Question 10

can you tell me more about xeloda (capecitabine) for metastatic breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

It is one of the goo: Xeloda (also called capecitabine) is one of the useful and commonly used drugs for patients with metastatic breast cancer. It is taken by mouth and fairly well tolerated drugs with no major nausea/vomiting associated with its use. It does cause some skin toxicities which are but a minor nuisance.

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Doctor answers about:

Stage iv metastatic breast cancer and malignant pleural effusion

A member asked:

Stage iv metastatic breast cancer and pleural effusion. what is treatment?

A member asked:

I have metastatic breast cancer to my bones. i just had pleural effusion in my lungs. at the same time, my oncologist did a ca27-29 test and it's 5,000. normal is under 40. is this possibly from the effusion? i've had a lot of trouble breathing?

A member asked:

What to do if i have triple negative metastatic breast cancer stage iv?

A member asked:

What are signs that someones body is shutting down due to stage 4 metastatic breast cancer?

A member asked:

I am stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. 1 yr ago it spread to ovaries and i had hysterectomy. do i stil need to have yearly papsmears.

A member asked:

My mother, 77, was recently diagnosed w stage iv lung cancer w malignant pleural effusion. she started spitting up yellow bile. is it spreading?

A member asked:

Is massive pleural effusion in one lung high risk for mastectomy for breast cancer?

A member asked:

About how long can someone live with metastatic breast cancer?

A member asked:

What is a survival rate of women older than 60 who have metastatic breast cancer?

A member asked:

Can you tell me more about xeloda (capecitabine) for metastatic breast cancer?

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