Nurseversity: Malignant Ascites.

Document Title: Malignant Ascites.

Document type: PDF

Author:Juliane Samara.

Author Bio:

I am married, with three adult children and am a 5th generation born and bred Canberran.

I graduated with my undergraduate degree in 2006 from University of Canberra, having previously worked in the aged care sector, as a contractor for a company providing internet security and website development services and a cinema manager prior to that.

My current position is as an advanced practice nurse providing clinical assessment, symptom management and care coordination for patients with malignant brain tumours, malignant melanoma, gynaecological cancers, sarcoma and cancer of unknown primary. My substantive position is CNC, chemotherapy day therapy unit at TCH, and last year I also worked on an e-health project to implement the CHARM Oncology Management System.

I am studying my Masters Nurse Practitioner, specialising in Oncology, at the University of Sydney and hope to finish this in June 2013. I am passionate about evidence-based practice and providing patient-centred care.

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Copyright: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

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Summary

Malignant ascites is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity consisting of large amounts of protein and electrolytes and resulting in excessive abdominal bloating. It may be present at diagnosis of malignant disease but is also commonly associated with recurrence of disease, particularly ovarian cancer.

The presence of malignant ascites in all but ovarian cancer is considered a terminal event and a poor prognostic indicator.

Ovarian cancer is the most common malignancy to cause ascites, followed by endometrial, breast, gastrointestinal, colon and pancreatic cancers. Survival after the development of malignant ascites is significantly longer in patients with ovarian cancer than that of other malignancies, however it can markedly reduce the patient’s quality of life.

LINK TO FULL DOCUMENT.

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