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What Do My Lab Test Results Indicate?
Question: In 2009 right breast was removed completely when diagnosed as cancer. After this doctor suggested for chemotherapy which I have not taken till date. Every year I am undergoing mammogram and ultrasound tests. Till today nothing diagnosed.Since 1 month I am having light cough and severe pain on the right side of the chest. I consulted pulmonologist and in the ECG report it came as "Right Pleural effusion ~ 400 ml". Yesterday they removed water from the chest and sent for the lab. Lab technician told it will take 2 days to get the reports. Please let me know whether this is related to the cancer? Is there anything serious to be worried?
Brief Answer:
Hello dear. It may be related to cancer but donot worry.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. First of all please do not worry.
Its already 7 years since you were operated so technically speaking the chances of cancer appearing again are low. but the fact that you did not take chemotherapy weighs against it.
The final call will be by the cytology report only. Even if the report is negative, i will advise you to undergo fluid aspiration one more time and cytology examination to be very sure.
Also You can undergo a PETCT scan to look for the primary lesion.
And donot worry, even if it turn out to be cancerous, there is a lot of good treatment options in breast cancer and the survival is quite prolonged.
Please revert back with reports.
thanks and regards
Hello dear. It may be related to cancer but donot worry.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. First of all please do not worry.
Its already 7 years since you were operated so technically speaking the chances of cancer appearing again are low. but the fact that you did not take chemotherapy weighs against it.
The final call will be by the cytology report only. Even if the report is negative, i will advise you to undergo fluid aspiration one more time and cytology examination to be very sure.
Also You can undergo a PETCT scan to look for the primary lesion.
And donot worry, even if it turn out to be cancerous, there is a lot of good treatment options in breast cancer and the survival is quite prolonged.
Please revert back with reports.
thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
I attached the two cytology reports done on the pleural fluid. The results from the two reports are contradictory with each other.
Result from report 1: No evidence of malignancy in the smear studied.
Result from report 2: Pleural fluid is positive from malignancy and shows features of an adenocarcinoma.
Please suggest us the further action and if possible please also suggest the specialist in XXXXXXX city.
Result from report 1: No evidence of malignancy in the smear studied.
Result from report 2: Pleural fluid is positive from malignancy and shows features of an adenocarcinoma.
Please suggest us the further action and if possible please also suggest the specialist in XXXXXXX city.
Brief Answer:
Hello dear. Further investigations are required.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. Sorry to say but the report is positive for cancer.
But still lot of good treatment is available. Prior to that certain investigations are required.
1. Cell block from fluid and IHC for determining the origin(whether it is from breast cancer or a new cancer from any other site(like lung, pleura).
2. If from breast then receptor status test (ER, PR , HER-2 neu).
3, If it suggest a cancer other than breast, then A PET-CT to look for the primary lesion.
4. After ascertaining the type and origin of cancer, chemotherapy can be planned.
You can choose to go to Nizams institute, or Indo XXXXXXX cancer institute.
Thanks and regards
Hello dear. Further investigations are required.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. Sorry to say but the report is positive for cancer.
But still lot of good treatment is available. Prior to that certain investigations are required.
1. Cell block from fluid and IHC for determining the origin(whether it is from breast cancer or a new cancer from any other site(like lung, pleura).
2. If from breast then receptor status test (ER, PR , HER-2 neu).
3, If it suggest a cancer other than breast, then A PET-CT to look for the primary lesion.
4. After ascertaining the type and origin of cancer, chemotherapy can be planned.
You can choose to go to Nizams institute, or Indo XXXXXXX cancer institute.
Thanks and regards
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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