A Review on Comprehensive Therapy of Ascites Cancer

Abstract

Ascites cancer is a condition in which there is a fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity due to diseases like liver disease, heart failure, renal disease and malignancy. Approximately 50% of all cirrhotic patients develop ascites cancer every year. The average survival after development of malignant ascites is only about 5 months. The most common symptoms of Ascites are recent weight gain, increased abdominal girth and dyspnoea. The development of ascites leads to significant symptoms and poor quality of life for the cancer patient. There are many potential causes of ascites in cancer patients, including peritoneal carcinomatosis, portal vein thrombosis, elevated portal venous pressure, congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome and peritoneal infections. The first line treatment of ascites includes education regarding dietary sodium restriction and oral diuretics. A guideline on the management of symptomatic malignant ascites by abdominal paracentesis, diuretics and peritoneovenous shunting, based on the review of this literature is presented. This review is intended to add clarity and valuable treatments to the current procedures for the management of malignant ascites and furthermore discusses new promising approaches.

Keywords: Peritoneal cancer, carcinoma, diuretics, portal vein thrombosis

Cite this Article Manpreet Arora, Kaushik Madan L. A Review on Comprehensive Therapy of Ascites Cancer. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Microbiology and Virology. 2018; 8(1): 1–6p.