Treatment for ascites (fluid accumulation)

With abdominal mesothelioma (peritoneal), one of the first symptoms a patient may notice is a distended abdomen that’s caused by a fluid accumulation (ascites). It may cause pain but frequently does not.

Treatment for this condition involves using one of several methods for removing the fluid. Sometimes doctors may use a needle to withdraw fluid (therapeutic paracentesis). Other times, surgery might be indicated. Though not common with mesothelioma, ascites that resists traditional medical treatment is called refractory ascites.

During ascites treatment, if the fluid accumulation is drained too quickly, patients may experience low blood pressure and/or shock. Breathing difficulty is not uncommon for those who also have pleural (lung) mesothelioma, lung cancer, emphysema, or other lung disease.

Malignant ascites
Sometimes fluid in the abdomen becomes infected (peritonitis) for any of several undetermined causes. But that is not what makes ascites malignant. It is mesothelioma itself that causes malignant ascites.

Abdominal ascites
Abdominal ascites can be frightening. When you notice your stomach distending and you gain weight for no reason, see your doctor as soon as possible. Causes of abdominal ascites in cancer patients may come from a number of non-malignant sources, including cirrhosis or heart failure. So your doctor’s first concern will be to make an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause of the problem. Once your doctor has done his assessment and you know its cause, you can begin as soon as possible to receive ascites treatment for the fluid accumulation in your abdomen.

When it is symptom of peritoneal mesothelioma, abdominal ascites can signal a poor prognosis as there are currently no cures for mesothelioma. Talk openly with your doctor about the types of treatment known to help relieve symptoms. Read information about the disease and connect with the many resources and support available to help patients living with mesothelioma.

If you live in Chicago, Austin, Atlanta, New York or any large city you may be able to find help from mesothelioma experts available at cancer centers. Feel free to browse this site for more information.