OC?

Hi - I'm 45 and postmenopausal (for about 2 years).  I had some abnormal bleeding and they diagnosed a 5cm left ovarian solid mass with some mild ascites (through vaginal ultrasound and a MRI).  I am having extreme bloating but otherwise feel fine. My CA125 came back as a 7. The MRI also found two large anterior fibroids.  My surgery is scheduled in a couple of weeks and they are going to remove everything.  My mother had an early histerectomy (late 20s) for really bad endimetriosis.  I guess my question is could the ascites be a result of endimetriosis or a benign tumor?  Thanks for your input.  

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Maddie,
Ascites means fluid in the abdomen. It is not really understood why ascites occurs. there are two main theories : a tumor actually secretes fluid or causes the lining of the abdomen to secrete fluid. The second theory is only relevant to cancerous tumors which is that ascites develops when tumor cells spread and blocks the pores in the diaphragm ( the muscle boundary between the abdomen and the chest) which prevent the normal absorption of fluid in the abdomen.

Ascites can also be caused by medical problems such as heart failure or cirrhosis of the liver.

I n your situation, the most common possibility is a benign ovarian fibroma. these benign tumors classically can cause ascites and even fluid in the chest. endometriosis is not usually associated with ascites.
I agree that surgery is the appropriate next course. I hope all goes well
best wishes