Fluid buildup in pelvic cavity

[tilechairdot]

I’m 39. My gynaecologist has performed an ultrasound and has found fluid buildup in my pelvic cavity (I have been feeling bloated). Ovaries, cervix, vagina, uterus all looked healthy, so fluid could be coming from somewhere else in my body.

They’ve taken a sample of the fluid. Googling ‘ascites’ instantly points to terrible diagnoses (late-stage cancers), so I’m here to gauge if it’s as grim as all that. Could there be a more innocent explanation?

I just want to bump this for you.

You probably already know that ascites can be result of many things including liver disease and cancer. Sorry to be so blunt. However, many other things can cause it too, which I'm sure you have looked up already. If everything else in your abdominal cavity looks good, then it more than likely is something other than cancer. But it must be an awful worry for you, no doubt about it.

Have you had the CA125 blood test for the Ovarian cancer (and other gynae) markers? Have you been checked for heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, pancreatitis etc.?

What is the next step according to your medics after the fluid biopsy, and are you having any other symptoms other than the fluid?

I'm not a doctor, but I have experience of a family member with ascites. Turned out to be congestive heart failure, which is being treated, but was tested for lots of things along the way.

Wishing you well, and hope for the best.

Thanks for bumping, @anyzee

I feel well in myself so am surprised that it’s likely I have something so serious going on.

They’ve referred me for an MRI as the next step.

I have had some uterine bleeding, which is why I went to the doctor in the first place, but they now think that’s unrelated and not a concern.

Did they say where it was located? I had a scan and it picked up free fluid in the pouch of douglas area. I then had a pelvic MRI which picked up endometriosis and endomyosis.

They did a CA-125 blood test too but with endo that can give raised results.

They took a blood test but the result won’t be ready for a couple of days.

Doctor said the fluid is in the pelvic cavity, I don’t think she said anything more specific.
She did say ovarian cancer was her first suspicion, but my ovaries looked fine on the ultrasound. My worry is that it’s coming from above - liver/kidneys/pancreas - and that’s why they didn’t see an obvious cause at a gynaecological exam.

@tilechairdothi, just wondering if you found out what was causing the fluid? I just started a thread yesterday about a similar thing. I have my mri in 2 weeks

You wouldn't have ascites unless you were dying of alcohol abuse. You'd need to be or have been a very heavy regular drinker for many years.

Not true @BillieWiper

I thought that was one of the main causes of it?

It is one possible cause, not the only possible cause @BillieWiper

@whatevenisascites Hi, in this case, I had an MRI and nothing came up on it. And they said the ascites was subsiding.

@BillieWiper please do check credible sources before handing out medical advice.

@tilechairdotthanks for replying, glad to hear your outcome.

Sorry I thought that's what ascites was. I apologise.

Let us know how you get on, @whatevenisascites . In my case, all my Google searches pointed to a fatal illness, but my MRI revealed no trace of cancer (or other pathology) anywhere in the body. It's hard, but true: internet searches tell you very little about your particular situation, and are likely to scare you.