Ascites after Whipple surgery: What can be done?

Posted by rad57 @rad57, Dec 9 1:47pm

My son had a Whipple surgery back in July, now one of his problems is quite big amount of liquid in abdomen (ascites). Anybody with similar experience? Any suggestion?
Thanks

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

julia725 | @julia725 | Dec 10 6:26am

Is he undergoing paracentesis to treat the ascites? Has the fluid been tested for malignancy?

rad57 | @rad57 | Dec 10 9:40am

In reply to @julia725 "Is he undergoing paracentesis to treat the ascites? Has the fluid been tested for malignancy?" + (show)

@julia725
Thanks Julia, home care team is taking one liter of fluid every second day, we think it is not enough.
They tested a liquid but pathologist says it is some cells "suspicious" to cancer, without clear definition yes or no.

julia725 | @julia725 | Dec 10 11:44am

In reply to @rad57 "@julia725 Thanks Julia, home care team is taking one liter of fluid every second day, we..." + (show)

@rad57
A definitive analysis of the fluid is needed as it can affect his treatment plan. My husband developed ascites before he showed any signs of metastasis. He had paracentesis at the hospital every few weeks at first, then increasing to weekly as the fluid volume increased. As it worsened, they were removing 10-12 liters on a weekly basis.
Ascites in pancreatic cancer is a serious condition. My husband’s portal vein was affected by the cancer which is what I believe was causing the pressure in his abdomen. Do your son’s doctors give any insight on what is causing the ascites?