A friend has undergone extensive abdominal surgery for a cancerous tumor of the stomach wall lining. Had stomach removed, part of intestines, gallbladder, and omentum. Was in hospital for 6 weeks. On return home has not had a good day yet. Weight has dropped 41 lbs and has had fluid on lungs removed once, but now fluid has returned. Why is he not improving and why the fluid build up. At this point he 15 weeks post op.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your friends situation and problem. Stomach cancer can spread to pleura (lining surrounding lungs). This pleural metastasis is common cause for recurrent pleural effusion even after removal of fluids. So better to get done pleural fluid cytology and pleural biopsy for the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion. And if these are positiver than your friend need pleurodesis (adhesion of pleura) for treatment of recurrent pleural effusion. So better to consult pulmonologist and discuss all these. Hope I have solved your query. Wishing good health to your friend. Thanks.