HonCode

Go Back   HER2 Support Group Forums > Herceptin / Tykerb
Register Gallery FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Herceptin / Tykerb Share your experiences or ask questions about Herceptin or Tykerb

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-25-2011, 07:51 AM   #1
LoriG
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
Bilateral pleural effusions

Hi all,

A little background....I have stage IV IBC with only a cross axillary metastatic lymph node making me stage IV. Up until now my organs have been clear. I have been NED since surgery April 2010. I was on Tykerb/Xeloda for a year and went off Xeloda in December., I remain on Tykerb and Tamoxifen. I have had some lung changes on Pet/CT and CT chest in both Septmeber of 2010 and December of 2010 that appeared to possibly be related to chemo induced pneumonitis. Both my onc, my rad onc, and a radiologist did not think the changes looked like mets. I have also had small pleural effusions that have come and gone. This entire time I have been completely asymptomatic, working out 5 days a week doing intense aerobic-type exercise.

Two weeks ago my whole family including myself had a nasty virus....cough/fever, etc. SIcne that time I have been exertionally SOB. I was pretty sure this was related to a pleural effusion as I also can not breathe when laying flat or leaning over. Yesterday I had a chest x-ray and I have moderate bilateral/symmetric pleural effusions. Obviously I need a tap and need the fluid analyzed. The thought is that the effusion is either malignant or possibly chemo/radiation-induced pneumonitis. I did have twice a day radiation to both chest walls so I was hit pretty hard with rads last year. I finished rads in June, however, and I think most pleural effusions associated with radiation occur within 6 months of radiation.

Anyone want to share some positive stories about pleural effsuions that turned out not to be malignant. Anyone had bilateral pleural effusions? I think malignancy is the most likely cause at this point although it does seem a bit odd that I have effusions on both sides that are pretty equal.

Thanks, everyone. Hope you all have a nice weekend.

Lori
__________________
Lori, age 33
*IBC (ER+,PR-,Her2+) on right diagnosed 8/09 with metastatic lymph node left axilla (Er-,PR-,Her2+) vs possible bilateral breast cancer
*A/C x4
*Taxol x4 with weekly herceptin
*Breast MRI 12/09- no improvement
*PET scan 12/09- no evidence of mets
*Tykerb/Xeloda 12/09
*Bilateral MRM 4/10
*Twice daily rads to both chest walls and both axillas 5/10-6/10
*9/10 PET/CT- NED
*Tykerb/Xeloda until 12/10
*Tykerb and Tamoxifen 12/10-current. Bye bye Xeloda
*2/11- malignant pleural effusions bilaterally (likely lymphangitic lung mets) and skin mets
Herceptin and Ixempra
LoriG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2011, 08:30 PM   #2
Jackie07
Senior Member
 
Jackie07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
Re: Bilateral pleural effusions

Lori,

The Cleveland Clinic website provides detailed information about pleural effusion:

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disord..._overview.aspx

Remember "when you hear hoofbeats, think of horses - not zebras." I'm sending
you good vibes.
__________________
Jackie07
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2

NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
BRCA1 V1247I
hptc hemangioma
Vertigo
GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement (600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa

Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe

Last edited by Jackie07; 02-25-2011 at 08:41 PM..
Jackie07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2011, 06:12 AM   #3
LoriG
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
Re: Bilateral pleural effusions

Thank you for your response, Jackie! I had over a liter drained off my left lung yesterday. waiting for cytology results that I am sure will not be good :-(

Thanks again!
__________________
Lori, age 33
*IBC (ER+,PR-,Her2+) on right diagnosed 8/09 with metastatic lymph node left axilla (Er-,PR-,Her2+) vs possible bilateral breast cancer
*A/C x4
*Taxol x4 with weekly herceptin
*Breast MRI 12/09- no improvement
*PET scan 12/09- no evidence of mets
*Tykerb/Xeloda 12/09
*Bilateral MRM 4/10
*Twice daily rads to both chest walls and both axillas 5/10-6/10
*9/10 PET/CT- NED
*Tykerb/Xeloda until 12/10
*Tykerb and Tamoxifen 12/10-current. Bye bye Xeloda
*2/11- malignant pleural effusions bilaterally (likely lymphangitic lung mets) and skin mets
Herceptin and Ixempra
LoriG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2011, 09:00 AM   #4
Mary L
Senior Member
 
Mary L's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 297
Red face Re: Bilateral pleural effusions

Lori, I am sending you my prayers and Best Wishes for a good report. Mary L
__________________
Mary L from PA Diag: Oct 2003 w/6mm mass, IDC grade III ductal carcinoma in-situ, IBC stage IIIB. tx A/C followed by Taxotere(only able to have 2 tx, allergic), mastectomy, 3 0ut of 7 positive nodes. 35 rads. Recurrence 9 months later, skin mets to mastectomy site. Tx Carboplatin/Herceptin. Stayed on Herceptin almost 5 years, had 3 more recurrences when I had to stop Herceptin due to my ejection fraction getting too low. Herceptin stopped and ned 3 years in Oct. 2010.
Mary L is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2011, 10:12 AM   #5
LoriG
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
Re: Bilateral pleural effusions

Thank you, Mary!
__________________
Lori, age 33
*IBC (ER+,PR-,Her2+) on right diagnosed 8/09 with metastatic lymph node left axilla (Er-,PR-,Her2+) vs possible bilateral breast cancer
*A/C x4
*Taxol x4 with weekly herceptin
*Breast MRI 12/09- no improvement
*PET scan 12/09- no evidence of mets
*Tykerb/Xeloda 12/09
*Bilateral MRM 4/10
*Twice daily rads to both chest walls and both axillas 5/10-6/10
*9/10 PET/CT- NED
*Tykerb/Xeloda until 12/10
*Tykerb and Tamoxifen 12/10-current. Bye bye Xeloda
*2/11- malignant pleural effusions bilaterally (likely lymphangitic lung mets) and skin mets
Herceptin and Ixempra
LoriG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2011, 12:06 PM   #6
Ellie F
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,526
Re: Bilateral pleural effusions

Hang in there Lori. Please let us know what happens.I am thinking of you and hoping it's b9.

Ellie
Ellie F is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2011, 09:31 AM   #7
schoolteacher
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,486
Re: Bilateral pleural effusions

Thinking of you, Lori. Hope to hear from you soon.

Amelia
schoolteacher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2011, 10:44 AM   #8
LoriG
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
Re: Bilateral pleural effusions

Thanks, Ellie and Amelia.

No results from cytology lab yet. I was hoping today but it may take longer.
__________________
Lori, age 33
*IBC (ER+,PR-,Her2+) on right diagnosed 8/09 with metastatic lymph node left axilla (Er-,PR-,Her2+) vs possible bilateral breast cancer
*A/C x4
*Taxol x4 with weekly herceptin
*Breast MRI 12/09- no improvement
*PET scan 12/09- no evidence of mets
*Tykerb/Xeloda 12/09
*Bilateral MRM 4/10
*Twice daily rads to both chest walls and both axillas 5/10-6/10
*9/10 PET/CT- NED
*Tykerb/Xeloda until 12/10
*Tykerb and Tamoxifen 12/10-current. Bye bye Xeloda
*2/11- malignant pleural effusions bilaterally (likely lymphangitic lung mets) and skin mets
Herceptin and Ixempra
LoriG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2011, 06:41 PM   #9
LoriG
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
Re: Bilateral pleural effusions

Hi all,

My effusions were malignant as I feared. Starting chemo and hoping for the best.

Lori
__________________
Lori, age 33
*IBC (ER+,PR-,Her2+) on right diagnosed 8/09 with metastatic lymph node left axilla (Er-,PR-,Her2+) vs possible bilateral breast cancer
*A/C x4
*Taxol x4 with weekly herceptin
*Breast MRI 12/09- no improvement
*PET scan 12/09- no evidence of mets
*Tykerb/Xeloda 12/09
*Bilateral MRM 4/10
*Twice daily rads to both chest walls and both axillas 5/10-6/10
*9/10 PET/CT- NED
*Tykerb/Xeloda until 12/10
*Tykerb and Tamoxifen 12/10-current. Bye bye Xeloda
*2/11- malignant pleural effusions bilaterally (likely lymphangitic lung mets) and skin mets
Herceptin and Ixempra
LoriG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2011, 07:02 PM   #10
Jackie07
Senior Member
 
Jackie07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
Re: Bilateral pleural effusions

Lori,

Sorry about the confirmed mets. Which chemo will you be getting? Hang in there.
__________________
Jackie07
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2

NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
BRCA1 V1247I
hptc hemangioma
Vertigo
GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement (600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa

Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe
Jackie07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2011, 08:17 PM   #11
Elizabethtx
Senior Member
 
Elizabethtx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 229
Re: Bilateral pleural effusions

I know this is terrible news and you did not want to hear mets. Please don't give up, get ready to fight back and kick the cancer out! We will pray for you and send out positive healing thoughts. Yiou are young and strong and can do this! Hopefully someone on the board will have good advice. Take care.
__________________
Diagnosed: Feb 2010 @ 46 yrs old
Invasive Ductual Carcinoma, left
2/28/10 Bilateral Mastectomy (tissue saving for future reconstruction)
3.2 cm 2/18 +lymph nodes
Stage 2b; E+/P+/Her2 +++
Nottingham score grade 2
Ki67 30%
3/2010 A/C 4 DD/2wks
5/2010 Herceptin/Taxotere 4D/3wks
8/2010 Herceptin until May 2011
Tamoxifin 20mg
9/2010 RAD 34 treatments
Pet scan Aug 2010 clear
Port removed July 2011
Bone scan, chest MRI 12/11 clear
Vaccine trial began Oct 2011








Elizabethtx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2011, 08:40 PM   #12
Trish
Senior Member
 
Trish's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 434
Re: Bilateral pleural effusions

Not the news you wanted but you did seem steeled for the mets. I hope the treatment goes well and is not too debilitating.
Trish
__________________
5/2004 (R) 30mm bre gr3 infiltrating ductal ca 16/18nodes er (2+) pr (3+) HER2 (3+)
6/2004
6 cycles(FEC), Oct 40 rads, Tamoxifen
5/2006
oopherectomy, Arimedex
12/2006
liver mets largest 9cm
1/2007
Herceptin,
3/2007
Taxol + Herc
1/2008
Herc alone
4/2008
Multiple bone mets,Zometa
7/2008
Herc + Gemcitabine
8/2008
Herc+Navelbine/vinoralbine
10/2008
Herc+Carboplatin+Taxol
12/2008
Tykerb+Xeloda
2/2010
Herceptin + trial drug
5/2010
Herceptin+Tykerb
8/2010
Tykerb+Abraxane
9/2010
Abraxane
12/2010
Abraxane+Tyk+Herc
4/2011
Tyk+Herc+Femara
6/2011
Liver and bone mets prog.Abraxane continue Herceptin,Tykerb,Femara and Zometa
8/2011
Probable liver progression and increased neuropathy. Xeloda with Tyk+Herc. Zometa 6 weekly.
9/2011
Liver progression,TM +++. Cyclophosphamide and Methotrexate metro Herc Zometa
10/2011 liver mets prog.Herc, 3 Tykerb +2mg decodron daily,Zometa
Trish is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:20 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright HER2 Support Group 2007 - 2021
free webpage hit counter