My sister has terminal lung cancer, can anyone tell me anything about the sac around the lung?

Answer 1

It sounds as if your previous answer was confusing the sac around the heart-pericardium with the lining of the lung called the pleura. Similar.
The lung has a thin membrane which expands and contracts with motion (respiration). The chest wall also has a lining. Between these two lings fluid may accumulate in cancer patients from excessive production or impaired uptake from the lymphatic system. These patients may require the drainage of that fluid-thoracentesis. A 'chest tube' may be left in place to collect that fluid and re expand the lung.
Patients with too much fluid re-accumulating may opt for a pleuradesis to make the lining of the lung and chest wall stick together to limit fluid build up.
Good luck.

Answer 2

I am so sorry to hear about your sister. Hugs to you both. My prayers are with you during this time.

Yes, the sac around the heart is the pericardium. The pericardium is the thin sac (membrane) that surrounds the heart and the roots of the great blood vessels.

The pericardium is the fluid filled sac that surrounds the heart and the proximal ends of the aorta, vena cava and the pulmonary artery.

Function:
Keeps the heart contained in the chest cavity.
Prevents the heart from overexpanding when blood volume increases.
Limits heart motion.
Pericardial Membranes:

The pericardium is divided into three layers:
Fibrous Pericardium
Visceral Pericardium (Epicardium)
Parietal Pericardium
Pericardial Cavity:

The pericardial cavity lies between the visceral pericardium and the parietal pericardium. This cavity is filled with pericardial fluid which serves as a shock absorber by reducing friction between the pericardial membranes. http://biology.about.com/library/organs/...

Since she has cancer, she may develop extra fluid in the sac called pericardial effusion. Or pericarditis. Here are a couple of websites on both: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pericar...
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.j...

This is a rough time for you, your sister and your family. If you ever need to talk, feel free to email or ask more questions on here. It sounds like yours sister has been sick for a while. My prayers are with you all.

Answer 3

Get this book, "Beating Cancer with Nutrition" by Patrick
Quillin. The first thing she needs to do is avoid all
sugar. The book is in stock at http://bioinnovations.net/home.asp.
I have ordered from them many time.
Checkout the reviews on the book at amazon.com.
The point of the book is showing people how to keep
there immune system strong. If anything maybe she
can extend her life.

Answer 4

Deeply sorry for your sister, I dont know anything about the lung but I offer you my best wishes and prayer.

Answer 5

Stephanie answered this question well, but I wanted to say that our prayers are with you and your family.

Answer 6

All I can say is {{{{{{{{hugs }}}}}}}