Malignant ascites: current therapy options and treatment prospects

Ascites is defined as the accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity and can be caused by various underlying diseases. Based on cytologic criteria three subtypes of ascites can be distinguished. Benign ascites most likely occurs in patients with liver cirrhosis or heart insufficiency without the presence of a malignant disease or tumor cells within the ascitic fluid. Malignant ascites (MA) is defined as cytologic proof of tumor cells within the ascitic fluid. However, a third entity called paramalignant ascites has been described recently, defined as the presence of ascites in cancer patients without detectable tumor cells within the ascitic fluid [1].
Source: Cancer Treatment Reviews - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Anti-tumour Treatment Source Type: research