Authors
Brittany P Rickard, Christina Conrad, Aaron J Sorrin, Mustafa Kemal Ruhi, Jocelyn C Reader, Stephanie A Huang, Walfre Franco, Giuliano Scarcelli, William J Polacheck, Dana M Roque, Marcela G Del Carmen, Huang-Chiao Huang, Utkan Demirci, Imran Rizvi
Published in
Cancers. Volume 13. Issue 17. Aug 26, 2021. Epub Aug 26, 2021.
Abstract
Ascites refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneum resulting from an underlying pathology, such as metastatic cancer. Among all cancers, advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer is most frequently associated with the production of malignant ascites and is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies. Despite decades of evidence showing that the accumulation of peritoneal fluid portends the poorest outcomes for cancer patients, the role of malignant ascites in promoting metastasis and therapy resistance remains poorly understood. This review summarizes the current understanding of malignant ascites, with a focus on ovarian cancer. The first section provides an overview of heterogeneity in ovarian cancer and the pathophysiology of malignant ascites. Next, analytical methods used to characterize the cellular and acellular components of malignant ascites, as well the role of these components in modulating cell biology, are discussed. The review then provides a perspective on the pressures and forces that tumors are subjected to in the presence of malignant ascites and the impact of physical stress on therapy resistance. Treatment options for malignant ascites, including surgical, pharmacological and photochemical interventions are then discussed to highlight challenges and opportunities at the interface of drug discovery, device development and physical sciences in oncology.
PMID:
34503128
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 10 Dec 2025.
Read full publication at:
Please sign in
to see all details.
Advertisement
Stats
- Recommendations n/a n/a positive of 0 vote(s)
- Views 8
- Comments 0