Ovarian cancer ascites are the ones studied by the medical professionals to see how far ovarian cancer has spread. However, this is not an indicator of the stage of cancer. The ovarian cancer ascites may indicate the spread of the cancer; however, it would not tell up to what extent cancer has spread.
Ascites are the excess fluid that fills the space in between the abdominal lining tissues and the peritoneal cavity and this can be caused by several conditions including ovarian cancer. Thus, in the cases of women who have later stage ovarian cancer may have ovarian cancer ascites that needs to be drained from time to time.
Ovarian cancer ascites may create some problems that would add to what the cancer patient is feeling. With the ascites present and not treated, it may cause an increased pressure on the diaphragm leading to shortness of breath. One third of the number of people with ovarian cancer has been found to have ovarian cancer ascites.
The ascites contain a fluid with a cellular fraction that contains ovarian cancer cells, mesothelial cells and lymphocytes. It contains neoplastic cells that may be observed to be single cells, or as spheroids or aggregates; thus, may cause spreading of cancer to other sites like the other organs in the peritoneal cavity.
Ovarian cancer ascites, however, is manageable. If the condition that causes the ascites is treated if it is possible, then ascites would be treated as well. If not, then it can be treated by diuretics; antibiotics may also be required if infection develops.
Salt limitation is also advised and alcohol avoidance may also help. If ascites do not respond to these treatment then the doctor may require placing a tube into the area to drain the ascites or a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or TIPS may be included.
Ovarian cancer ascites, if not treated, may have complications which includes spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; which is a life-threatening complication. It may also cause hepatorenal syndrome. People with ascites that are experiencing abdominal pain and fever should immediately contact their health care provider for medical management. This may cause a serious complication if not given immediate attention.
Not all patients with ovarian cancer may have the ovarian cancer ascites; it is better to be watchful if this would ever occur. It may cause other complications that you would not want to have. It is better to discuss this matter with your physician because they know better on how to deal with ascites.
Although ovarian cancer may have caused this, there are other possibilities that may cause its occurrence other than the ovarian cancer. Sometimes doctors may take samples of the ascites and have it examined at the laboratory and see what it contains.
Since ovarian cancer is one type that is asymptomatic at an early stage; causing it to be diagnosed at a later stage, the ovarian cancer ascites, may sometimes be the first one that is diagnosed. In some cases, ascites are the reason why the patients seek medical attention not knowing that they already have ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer ascites is something that people with cancer must watch out for. This may be manageable but it may also cause the spread of the cancer cells to other organs in the body and the complication it possibly brings may also affect the patient adversely.
