Bradley J Monk, MD, FACOG, FACS Ascites Impact on Quality of Life

Bradley J. Monk, MD, FACOG, FACS, discusses case studies in ovarian and cervical cancer. Dr. Monk explains that t

his patient is not a good candidate for secondary debulking, given the diffuse nature of her recurrent disease, and likely has carcinomatosis. Ascites is commonly associated with carcinomatosis and with bloating and impaired quality of life. Anti-VEGF therapy is particularly effective in ascites and a predictor of improved quality of life when used in the platinum-resistant patient.

CASE 1: Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Sarah W. is a 62-year-old Caucasian woman who works as a travel agent.

In June of 2013, the patient presented with bloating and abdominal distension. Prior medical history is notable for nulliparity, and medication-controlled hypertension.

• Physical exam revealed palpable, fixed nodular 10-cm pelvic mass with abdominal ascites, and patient’s CA-125 level was 895 U/mL
• She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo oophorectomy, omentectomy, low anterior resection with anastomosis and complete cytoreduction of all gross metastatic disease. There was no gross residual disease. Stage was FIGO 3C epithelial ovarian cancer
• Patient was negative forBRCA1or2mutation
• She received 6 IV q3-week cycles of paclitaxel/carboplatin
• Her symptoms resolved and CA-125 levels decreased to 9 U/mL; she remained disease free for approximately 18 months

In December of 2014, the patient presents for her 6-month evaluation with rising CA-125 level, mild abdominal distension and fatigue, and inability to work.

• CT scanning reveals metastatic involvement of liver surface, an isolated splenic lesion, and a small amount of ascites
• She was retreated with carboplatin/paclitaxel
• Patient showed improvement in symptoms and performance status (ECOG 0) after 3 cycles of therapy