Ascites as a subject of studies in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease characterized by multiple histological subtypes. High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma is the most common histological subtype of ovarian cancer. The majority of ovarian cancer patients present with malignant ascites at diagnosis. Peritoneal dissemination is one of the most unfavorable factors for tumor progression and recurrence. A more precise visualization of peritoneal carcinomatosis can be achieved by transabdominal ultrasound. However, the prognostic factors associated with malignant ascites in ovarian cancer are currently not well understood. Among the clinical parameters, the volume of ascites has the greatest information in terms of prognosis of disseminated ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer with small-volume ascites has a more favorable therapeutic prognosis. Ascites is an easily accessible and valuable source of cellular and extracellular components contained in it that are involved in ovarian carcinogenesis. Ascites represents an accessible and valuable source of material to identify signals that influence tumor growth. At present, among the soluble high- and low molecular components of ascites, an active search for additional prognostic and predictor factors is being conducted, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms for clinical phenotypes of ovarian cancer.