Introduction to Malignant Pleural Effusions

Interventional pulmonologist Dr. Jed Gorden reviews malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are a common complication of lung cancer and some other cancers.

[JeffreyWillis]

Helpful, although I found this too late. My wife died from stage 4 breast cancer in March 2021. Oncologist told me she should live for decades. She went downhill quickly, died 5 months after diagnosis (estrogen dependent only cancer). Toward the end, she was draining 2L per day of malignant fluid from her lungs (pleural effusion), and very short of breath all the time. To me it was wasting her body away, all her nutrients going into the fluid, and she was not replacing them. I got her home for hospice after a big struggle, and she died 2 days later (her albumin and sodium levels were very low at the hospital) after hospice doc told me he couldn't stabilize her at home. Her final night she didn't drain her lungs herself, so I wondered if I should do it for her, but she seemed so weak from the constant draining, I didn't know what to do. Her mom, a nursing home nurse, told me not to drain it, so I listened. The next morning she died in my arms. She could barely talk, the only coherent words she said that morning was "I love you too" to me. Worth more than gold. But still, I feel like I failed her, failed to keep her alive. I was the only one she allowed at the hospital with her, or the doctors. Should I have drained her lungs that last night? The cancer had spread to many parts of her body, but she was rejecting the pain meds.

[steverader]

This was a very clear and helpful introductory explanation. Good job and thank you!

[malrofo]

Wow this pretty much exactly describes my pleural effusion that was brought on by hodgkins lymphoma. Only I was in really good shape so I didn't notice untill I tried running or climbing stairs. Day to day I felt fine

[songofruth]

I wish I had known this was possible. It's what took my elderly mother last year. She always complained of shortness of breath even before the cancer diagnosis 2 years before. If I'd known of this risk, I'd have made sure that each of her several doctors had taken the issue more seriously. I think perhaps non-oncologists are not always aware either.

[ManuelIliasLustenberger]

Hello, since a month i cant really breathe that good also i have symptoms that sometimes like no appetite, sweating while sleeping. Im scared to go to the doctors

[happywanderer]

Please change the title of your video. You did not touch on cancer at all.