Question from Anonymous Caring.com community member
In September of 2007, I had a colectomy for Stage 2 colon cancer with no lymph node involvement. I am now on fu5 and Leucovorin. Is it possible that the surgery and/or the chemo could cause Ascetis?
Expert Answer by Bonnie Bajorek Daneker
Ascites, which is fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity, can be extremely uncomfortable, even painful.
A surgical oncologist on The Compassionate Caregiver’s Medical Advisory Board says “Ascites is common in patients with abdominal cancers. It is most commonly caused by recurrence or metastasis of a primary cancer (such as a colon cancer) to the surface of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen), or liver disease/dysfuction.
It is extremely rare that chemotherapy or a surgical complication would cause this.”
