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This question was answered on Wed 03, Sep 2008 12:02am by Dr Paul S, MD

possible lymphoma found in my mother; bloody pericardial effusion found in chest. doctors not sure


    
Asked by grp (Female; 69; thyroidectomy in 1953, has some diverticulitis and GERD; Relevant drugs:takes some prilosec and prevacid ) on Tue 02, Sep 2008 09:58am
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my mother was in the hospital for a bloody pleural effusion in her chest. They tested the fluid twice. The first test indicated suspicious malignant cells. The second test showed less malignant cells. They did a bone marrow biopsy and found no cancer there, and also did a pericardial window and no cancer was found in that biopsy. We overheard one doctor saying something about lymphoma. They sent her home, but I think she still has cancer. Should she have more tests done? She is 69 and otherwise, in good health, but she has lost about twenty poundsm which she can't gain back. We talked to thoracic surgeon who performed the biopsy of pericardium and he said she did not have cancer. She has no swollen lymph nodes anywhere, but we are not convinced.

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Answer by Dr Paul S, MD  on Wed 03, Sep 2008 12:02am:

Hi there. I agree with you that more tests may be necessary, as bloody pleural fluids with suspicious malignancy, coupled with the symptom of weight loss, should really increase the suspicion of a possible cancer somewhere in the body. This can be a primary lung malignancy, a metastatic cancer from other organs (like the breast and intestines), and lymphoma. Other tests that can be done would include imaging studies such as Chest and Abdominal CT scan, mammography, and a PET scan if no tumors are demonstrated by the other scans. I believe that a second opinion may be necessary, just to be sure there's really nothing wrong. Moreover, if the cause of the effusion is not ascertained, this could come back anytime and may cause significant morbidity. Regards.

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