We have located links that may give you full text access.
EDITORIAL
REVIEW
Malignancy-related ascites and ascitic fluid "humoral tests of malignancy".
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 1994 March
A large number of ascitic fluid tests, e.g., fibronectin and cholesterol, have been proposed as helpful in detecting malignancy as the cause of ascites. Unfortunately, these "humoral tests of malignancy" are nonspecific. Although the ascitic fluid concentrations of these proteins or protein-bound substances tend to be quite high in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis and low in the setting of cirrhotic ascites, the problem is that patients with tuberculous peritonitis, cardiac ascites, pancreatitis ascites, etc. usually have values in the malignancy range, i.e., false-positive results. This can lead to an extensive search for a nonexistent tumor, with confusion and anxiety for patient and physician. The cytology is the single best test to order when peritoneal carcinomatosis is suspected; its sensitivity approaches 100%. However, peritoneal carcinomatosis is only one of several mechanisms by which tumors can cause ascites. No one test can be expected to detect tumors as the cause of these diverse mechanisms of ascites formation. The serum-ascites albumin gradient is a helpful test in classifying ascitic fluid specimens into portal-hypertension-related and non-portal-hypertension-related categories. An elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein test can be useful in raising suspicion of hepatocellular carcinoma. Careful analysis of ascitic fluid, without measurement of "humoral tests of malignancy," combined with information obtained from the history and physical examination, usually lead to an accurate diagnosis of the cause of ascites.
Full text links
Related Resources
Trending Papers
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment.Clinical Research in Cardiology : Official Journal of the German Cardiac Society 2024 April 12
Proximal versus distal diuretics in congestive heart failure.Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation 2024 Februrary 30
Efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy in chronic insomnia: A review of clinical guidelines and case reports.Mental Health Clinician 2023 October
World Health Organization and International Consensus Classification of eosinophilic disorders: 2024 update on diagnosis, risk stratification, and management.American Journal of Hematology 2024 March 30
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app