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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Shortness Of Breath And Fluid In Lungs?

hi dr, my cousin has had breast cancer, what type, im not sure. Her breasts have been clear from cancer for the last year, but she started to get shortness of breath, went to doctor and is in hospital now, has a lot of fluid on her lungs. She is awaiting cat scan, how serious could this be, doctors are not telling her a lot but they said the lungs have a lot of fluid and more than likely cancer is back. She has just got fluid drained. What do you think. Thankyou.
posted on Thu, 20 Nov 2014
Twitter Thu, 4 Dec 2014 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 4 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Your concern about your cousin is justified. The collection of fluid - what doctors call pleural effusion, can be due to many causes. But in the setting like that of your cousin, it is most likely due to invasion of cancer cells. As the fluid is drained, its laboratory examination and the CT scan will give you the definite answer.

Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
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What Causes Shortness Of Breath And Fluid In Lungs?

Your concern about your cousin is justified. The collection of fluid - what doctors call pleural effusion, can be due to many causes. But in the setting like that of your cousin, it is most likely due to invasion of cancer cells. As the fluid is drained, its laboratory examination and the CT scan will give you the definite answer. Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.