Abdominal distension after chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is often considered as gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by side effects of chemotherapy, it may also be caused by tumor recurrence or metastasis to the abdominal cavity, and also considered as ascites caused by hypoalbuminemia.
1. Chemotherapy will affect the function of normal cells while killing tumor cells, and the damage of gastrointestinal mucosa will lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction, anorexia, constipation, dyspepsia and other symptoms, which will cause abdominal distension. Patients should pay attention to diet, consume more easy-to-digest food, and can use gastric stimulants such as mosapride under the guidance of doctor to reduce abdominal distension.
2. When the tumor recurs or metastasizes to the abdominal cavity, the compression of the tumor on the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels often causes the obstruction of their reflux, which leads to the production of ascites and abdominal distension. A small amount of ascites is often extracted to detect whether there are cancer cells and further judge the condition, and consider whether to change the chemotherapy regimen under the guidance of doctors.
3. When patients with poor nutrition have hypoalbuminemia, the osmotic pressure of tissue fluid will decrease, causing ascites and abdominal distension. Supplementation of albumin is often prescribed to enhance nutrition and reduce abdominal distension.