Hi,Doctor I was diagnosed with thymic cancer two and half years ago.I underwent radiation and chemothrapy. Then 20 months ago it was revealed that I have had a heart attack and three of my arteries had been blocked.Doctors unblocked the main one and placed stent.Now I have developed pericardial and pleural effusion which has caused many problems such as severe tiredness,shortness of breath and irregularity of the heartbeat and many other troublesome symptoms.I understand that from my doctors point of view nothing can be done regarding my health status and age.Would you be kind enough to tell me if there is any hope for me?Your advice will be greatly appreciated. With my best wishes, Ahmad
Hi, Thanks for writing in. The pleural space is a free space between the lungs and thoracic cane. Similarly, the pericardium is a free space between heart and its covering. These are potential spaces for collection of fluid in disease. As you had thy mic cancer and heart problems, it is important to know the type of fluid getting collected as pleural and pericardial effusion. Little amount of pleural fluid can be taken out with a needle and tested for its nature. If cancer cells or any infection is found then treatment must include medicines for it. If large amount of fluid is collected then it must be Chat Doctor. 