Pleural Effusion - please suggest

No, it does not

Some lymphomas are known for pleural effusion. Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma (AITL) is known for pleural effusion. At this point, I would wonder about the pathology on his biopsy sample, as AITL tumors contain both malignant T-Cells as well as abnormal (non-malignant) B-Cells, and confuse many pathologists. Just a possibility.

ashsaj said:

DLBCL

Its Diffuse Large B-Cell lymphoma - inital fluid pathological tests revealed there are few atypical lymphoids found in the fluid. 

after 2 chemos - when the fluid increased, they drained but now docs seems more concerned. Will this effusion or findings change the procedure of treatment? or chemotherapy ?? 

Sometimes

ashsaj

The chemo drug Bleomycin is sometimes given for pleural effusion.  Bleomycin itself is harsh.  ONLY your oncologist can determine if it would be suitable for him.

It may be that periodic draining is itself better and less stressful than Bleomycin.

I would doubt that this fluid accumilation will cause any change in his chemo schedule.  Killing the cancer is a priority over managable side-effects, regardless of what they are caused by.  Drainable fluid won't kill him.  But Diffuse B-Cell NHL if not stopped IS fatal-- think of the situation that way.

Recall that as always we are not doctors here, and we cannot recommend medical treatments.   I am just sharing a fact in the public domain about a drug that is relevant to the situation that you enquired about. I hope it proves helpful to the two of you,

max

See section "What Bleomycin is used for."     http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/bleomycin.aspx

po18guy said:

No, it does not

Some lymphomas are known for pleural effusion. Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma (AITL) is known for pleural effusion. At this point, I would wonder about the pathology on his biopsy sample, as AITL tumors contain both malignant T-Cells as well as abnormal (non-malignant) B-Cells, and confuse many pathologists. Just a possibility.

My Dad

I read above that the Angioblastic T Cell is the one that is known for pleural effusion but the pathology report came back at Peripheral T Cell. I have not seen it but will check.

So does Peripheral T Cell cause this pleural effusion as well ?

In our case, my dad as been diagnosed with Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma and he also has pleural effusion.  His effusion rate seems to have slowed down a bit after the chemo. For example, before chemo they drained his right lung and within 24 hours he accumulated 800 ml.

He got his chemo on March 8th and today his rate is about 200-300 ml every 12 hours. 

They have given him a lung tube to continuously drain his effusion.

When can I expect this effusion to stop ?

My Dad

Dear Po18Guy:

I really need your advice and might need to speak with you as well.  My dad as I mentioned earlier was diagnosed with T Cell NHL.  Peripheral sub-type and no further sub-typing has been revealed yet.

My dad, 83 had his first chemo on March 8th, 2018 and was doing sort of OK. He still had his pleural effusion from his lungs. However, two days ago he suffered a medical shock. He has a few complications and had to be intubed in the ICU.  He is doing slightly better and we are praying for this improvement. Thrown in the mix though are the effects of the chemo including low hemoglobin, WBC and Neutrophil counts and so on.

Given, his age, outcome of the first chemo etc., I am exploring ways and options.

You had mentioned names of several drugs ?  Leaving alone the cost of the drugs, can the doctor say that the patient is reacting very negatively to the chemo and therefore 2nd chemo is not possible and hence I have to put him or her on drugs like the ones you had mentioned ?

Is that doable ? Your advice and pointing us in the right direction would be greatly appreciated sir.

His next chemo is not for 21 days so we have time and are hoping for his recovery.

Thank You!

 

anantven said:

My Dad

Dear Po18Guy:

I really need your advice and might need to speak with you as well.  My dad as I mentioned earlier was diagnosed with T Cell NHL.  Peripheral sub-type and no further sub-typing has been revealed yet.

My dad, 83 had his first chemo on March 8th, 2018 and was doing sort of OK. He still had his pleural effusion from his lungs. However, two days ago he suffered a medical shock. He has a few complications and had to be intubed in the ICU.  He is doing slightly better and we are praying for this improvement. Thrown in the mix though are the effects of the chemo including low hemoglobin, WBC and Neutrophil counts and so on.

Given, his age, outcome of the first chemo etc., I am exploring ways and options.

You had mentioned names of several drugs ?  Leaving alone the cost of the drugs, can the doctor say that the patient is reacting very negatively to the chemo and therefore 2nd chemo is not possible and hence I have to put him or her on drugs like the ones you had mentioned ?

Is that doable ? Your advice and pointing us in the right direction would be greatly appreciated sir.

His next chemo is not for 21 days so we have time and are hoping for his recovery.

Thank You!

 

Consult with a specialist

Time is of the essence. Therefore, the best that I can offer is that if you are in the states, to consult with a T-Cell specialist. The following is not an exhaustive list, but the best of the best T-Cell Lymphoma research specialists are given here at the site of the T-Cell Leukemia Lymphoma Foundation.

I connect the dots. I am not a dot. I just try to connect them. 

Due to dad's age, his options are limited, but the newer less toxic single agent drugs make sense in his case. If he is willing, a consult with a specialist is a phone call away.