ascities increase after laparothomy

[Bina_N]

My mother had laparothomy on 11/8 when 95% of her tumors were removed (ovaries, uterus, intestins). Since then the bloating went ballistic. Her abdomen is like 6 month pregnancy and legs are huge and swallen. Doctor said chemo is the only thing that will take care of it but she had a delay due to post surgery complication. So she just had her first chemo yesterday.

I would like to understand why ascities amount increased big time after the surgery even if 95% of tumors were removed? Do the cells become more active? Or is it just a coincidence that cancer progressed much faster after the surgery?

[Angie_Lou]

I did not have a laparothomy...went into a full hysterectomy for my surgery and my body was de-bulked at that time to remove the excessive ascites (four liters.)  I looked about 6 - 7 months pregnant prior to surgery.

My guess is that debulking is not possible with a laparothomy.  But, you should really ask the doctor why your mom had excessive ascites after surgery, especially if it was not like that prior to her surgery.  Only he can answer this professionally.  

If she just have her first Chemo yesterday, her body will release the ascites (through urine usually.)  So, she may urinate a little (maybe alot) more often.

Was it a gyn or a gyn/onc that performed the laparothomy?  If it was a gyn with no educational backround in oncology, I suggest you have your mother consult with a gyn/onc IF she does not release a majority of the ascites in a couple of days.  Don't be scared that the cancer progressed, but it really is important that the ascites is released from the body.

My best, Angie