Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

An Ex Vivo Model of Ovarian Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis Using Human Omentum
Published on: January 26, 2024
Current and future options in the treatment of malignant ascites in ovarian cancer
1European Competence Center for Ovarian Cancer, Department of Gynaecology, Charité-Campus Virchow Klinikum, Medical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Background:
Malignant ascites is a frequent problem for ovarian carcinoma patients. Typical symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and dyspnea reduce quality of life. In this study, different treatment options for malignant ascites due to ovarian carcinoma were sought.
Materials And Methods:
Articles and reviews found in PubMed and reference books were evaluated and compared to each other.
Results:
Many treatment options exist. Current treatment options include paracentesis, intraperitoneal chemotherapy and therapy using intraperitoneal tumor necrosis factor alpha for example. Compared to other reviews, catumaxomab, a new antibody, was presented and the treatment options were focused on ovarian carcinoma patients. All these methods are palliative.
Conclusion:
The treatment of malignant ascites keeps a demanding difficulty and requires further study especially on progressive free survival and overall survival. Paracentesis and systemic therapy with a later effect are recommended at the moment. Catumaxomab is the only medication that could achieve an improvement.
Related Concept Videos
Ascites
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...

