Skip to main content
search here
username password
Macmillan and Cancerbackup have merged. Together we provide free, high quality information for all.
How we produce our information|
Inside the abdomen is a membrane called the peritoneum, which has two layers. One layer lines the abdominal wall and the other layer covers the organs inside the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum produces a fluid that acts as a lubricant and allows the abdominal organs to glide smoothly over one another. Sometimes too much of this fluid can build up between the two layers and this is called ascites.
Ascites can be a symptom of many types of cancer. The types of cancer that are more likely to cause ascites are cancer of the breast|, lung, large bowel (colon)|,stomach|, pancreas, ovary| and the lining of the womb (endometrium).
There may be several reasons for the build-up of ascites:
The symptoms of ascites can be very distressing. The abdomen becomes very swollen and distended, which can be uncomfortable or painful. It can also cause difficulty in getting comfortable, sitting up or walking. It can make you feel very tired (lethargic)| and breathless|. It may cause feelings of sickness (nausea) or make throw up (vomiting)|. You may also suffer indigestion and a reduced appetite|.
In order to relieve symptoms, the treatment of ascites involves slowing the build-up of the fluid and putting a tube into the abdomen to drain it (known as paracentesis).
The ascitic tube (drain) is usually inserted by a doctor and the procedure can be done in the ward or in the outpatients clinic. Sometimes the drain is put in while you are having an ultrasound scan which helps guide the doctor where to position the drain.
Once you're lying down comfortably the skin in the area where the drain is to be inserted is cleaned. The doctor will then give you an injection of local anaesthetic to numb the area and prevent the procedure from being painful.
The doctor makes a very small cut in the skin of the abdomen and inserts a thin tube called a cannula. The cannula is attached to a tube and drainage bag. The ascitic fluid drains out of the abdomen and collects inside the drainage bag. The cannula may be held in place with a couple of stitches and covered with a dressing.
The length of time that the drainage tube needs to stay in place depends on the amount of fluid that needs to be drained off. Sometimes a small amount of fluid can be drained in the outpatients clinic. If there is a large amount of fluid however, the procedure may need to be carried out in hospital under the supervision of the doctors and nurses, and the drain may stay in place for a period of 2–3 days.
It is possible for the ascites to build up again and drainage may need to be carried out more than once.
Usually the fluid will be drained off slowly, as a sudden release of pressure in the abdomen can cause a drop in blood pressure. A litre of fluid may be drained safely as soon as the drain has been inserted. After this, the drainage will usually be done more slowly. Your blood pressure will be checked during the procedure.
The ascitic drain can become blocked. This can sometimes be cleared by changing your position or sitting upright. Occasionally the tube may need to be replaced.
The drain can sometimes become infected and you will have your temperature taken regularly as a high temperature can be a sign of infection.
When the drain has been removed there may be a leakage of fluid from the drain site, until the hole heals. The hole will be stitched together and the site will need to be covered with a dressing or drainage bag until the leakage has stopped. Usually the stitches are taken out after about a week.
The doctors may prescribe a water tablet (diuretic) called spironolactone (Aldactone®). This can make you want to pass more urine than normal but will slow the build-up of the ascitic fluid.
A peritoneo-venous shunt (sometimes called a LeVeen shunt) may be considered. A shunt is a plastic or silicone rubber tube that is placed into the peritoneal cavity and drains the ascitic fluid directly into a large vein. This is a more complicated procedure and usually needs to be done under a general anaesthetic. You will also need intensive monitoring for the first 24–48 hours, in a high dependency unit at the hospital, in order to check that the shunt is working properly. The shunt stays in permanently.
This section has been compiled using information from a number of reliable sources, including:
For further references, please see the general bibliography|.
View Q&As on this topic
Posted by bob jk
Posted by GRAEME.
Posted by 'Bad Year' is now a 'Good Year'
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.
Browser does not support script.