Peritoneal aspiration (drainage of fluid from the abdomen)

Inside the tummy (abdomen), there is a membrane called the peritoneum. It has two layers. One layer lines the tummy 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 organs to glide smoothly over one another. Sometimes too much fluid can build up between the two layers, and this is called ascites.

Your doctor may take a sample of this fluid to send to the laboratory, to see if it contains cancer cells. This is called a peritoneal aspiration.

You may have an ultrasound scan during the test. Ultrasound uses sound waves to build up a picture of the area. This helps guide the doctor to where the fluid is. Your doctor will give you a local anaesthetic to numb the area first. After this, they pass a needle through your skin into the fluid to take a sample.