“How to get rid of fluid in the lungs?”
My mom has stage 4 lung cancer and her lungs are filled with fluid. Can it be removed? is it a dangerous procedure?
6 Answers
Fluid can be removed with a variety of tubes, but frequently in order to keep it from coming back the lining of the chest cavity needs to be removed surgically with a procedure called a pleurectomy. Your mother should consult with a Thoracic Surgeon for more precise direction
Yes it is relatively safe. Sometimes a tube can be placed to drain any extra fluid that still builds up.
Removing fluid from the lungs is a straight forward procedure and usually uncomplicated. If she continues to re-accumulate fluid, there are certain types of tubes that can be left in place to help the fluid drain.
Dr. Carlos J. Ledezma
Interventional Radiologist
It can safely be removed with a procedure called thoracentesis. IF it is filling up because of her cancer, it can be removed by a longer-term tube that physicians like myself (Interventional radiologists) can put in. Both are safe procedures.
Yes they can drain the fluid in radiology with a drain but only necessary if she is symptomatic (short of breath). Not that dangerous. Minimal risk. Always a risk of lung collapse but rare and if it does occur relatively easy to fix.
Yes, fluid can be removed from the lungs with a needle. It is a common procedure and relatively safe. It would make her more comfortable as she’ll breathe better.
