Fluid Around The Lungs

Hi I am new to this message board. My Dad has Just been Dx with renal cell cancer with Met to the lungs. We are doing all the diagnostic tests this week. My question is when we went to do the biopsy. They were going to do a needle biopsy to the lung. The Cat scan showed fluid around the lungs. Needless to say they ened taking the biopsy from the kidney and Drained almost three liter of fluid from his lungs.  Does anyone here know about fluid aroud the lungs or why this happens?

I have been reading all your post and have not seen anything in renal cell about fluid around the lungs. I was wondering if he is really in bad shape. He has been going down hill since we found out about this three weeks ago. We see his doctor on thursday. I am worried sick that this cancer is to far gone. I guess I will find out more on thursday. I am just worried and need to talk about . If anyone has any info that would be great.

I understand your concerns. What has he had scanned so far? Just because he has fluid on his lungs does not mean that his cancer is too far gone at all. Just consider it a minor complication.  There are many ups and downs with any sort of cancer. The first few months are the worst. My husband was dx in Dec. 2005. He has had 3 brain surgeries, lung surgery and a kidney removed. He is now taking Torisel treatments. My best advice to you is not to give up. They are making new advancements in RCC treatment everyday.

Good Luck and God Bless!

Kim

I had my left kidney removed in nov07, a day after the operation my left lung filed with fluid and collapsed. They inserted a drain and after 5 days left the hospital ok. I ahd a follow up vist amonth later and the lung was again filled with fluid. They drained 2 liter of fluid. They also sent a scope in both lungs to see if there was intrusion of the tumors in the lungs but thankfully that was not the case.

I was told that fluid build up could have resulted from the operation and possibly from the tumors. They could do 2 procedures to take care of this. one is to put a drain port in to drain the lung, the other is to insert a talc like substance in the lung and dry things up.

I started on 50mg of Sutent in Jan 08 and had my first scan since dx in March08 and there was no fluid. Doctors said sutent may help the flluid situation. I hope i do not have fluid again and aviod any additional procedures.

I hope this was helpfull.

Chaz

Thank you for all your info. I have been trying to find out everything I can about this cancer. Today we go to his Doctor and get all the test results. I am nervous and scared.  I hope everything goes well. Last week the doctor talked a little about the drug sutent. But we had to get all the test done before he would decide what to do.

Well anyway thanks for your quick replies

Hi

 My dad had RCC with mets to his lungs.  He had problems with fluid in the cavity around his the lung.  They implanted a Pleurx drain in his side and drained about 2 liters a day for awhile.  The majority of his mets were in the cavity around his lungs and the doctors told us that his fluid was caused by the tumors.  The fluid was clear at first, then was the color of red wine.  In his case, the tumors were very vascular and falling apart.  They also said that it can be caused by the body retaining fluid simply because it is dealing with the tumors.

Have they drained the fluid?   If so, does he have any more fluid in there? 

I have experiencd that condition. I have RCC - 3b which was diagnosed in Oct, 2005. I've been on Nexavar, Sutent, Chemo, and now Torisel. Last summer, after 18 months of progression free results on Sutent, I developed "Pleural Effusions" with is fluid in the lining of the lung.

I had 2 liters drained (via Thoracentesis), then in about 3 weeks it got much worse. I had thorasic surgery and  "Pleuraldesis" where they removed 4 liters of fluid, sealed the area with talc, and inserted a tube for draining more fluid.   I had no more fluid for 8 months, then recently it started to return. I expect to have a thoracentesis to drain the fluid this week. Not sure what is next.  

 Here is more info:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleural_effusion

Good luck to your father.

 D. J.

On 5/6/2008 andrear1086 wrote:

Hi I am new to this message board. My Dad has Just been Dx with renal cell cancer with Met to the lungs. We are doing all the diagnostic tests this week. My question is when we went to do the biopsy. They were going to do a needle biopsy to the lung. The Cat scan showed fluid around the lungs. Needless to say they ened taking the biopsy from the kidney and Drained almost three liter of fluid from his lungs.  Does anyone here know about fluid aroud the lungs or why this happens?

I have been reading all your post and have not seen anything in renal cell about fluid around the lungs. I was wondering if he is really in bad shape. He has been going down hill since we found out about this three weeks ago. We see his doctor on thursday. I am worried sick that this cancer is to far gone. I guess I will find out more on thursday. I am just worried and need to talk about . If anyone has any info that would be great.

Hi! I too have RCC with mets to lungs also to the bone. There was a time I had fluid in the lungs but it wasn't a big deal, I mean it didn't cause any major problems. Sutent is the first line of treatment if no other problems exist. If so then torisel or something else is recommended. I've been stable on Sutent for 4 cycles,I am having a bone scan tomorrow and a ct early June. Hope they get your husband on meds soon and that they start to shrink or at least stabilize his cancer. Take Care and if you need to talk to anyone this site is great. Someone will always respond. You and your husband are in my prayers    John