No one has fully survived ascites although there have been at least 23 people who have lived longer than the average life expectancy.
The overall median survival after diagnoses of malignant ascites is 5.7 years and some people have survived for 17 months to 52 months.
A person with mild ascites may appear and look normal but with more severe ascites the person will usually look larger in the abdomen and have a very large distended abdomen.
As the fluid with ascites accumulates in the persons abdominal cavity it then can cause the belly button to also protrude out from the body with severe ascites.
The signs that someone has ascites include.
Swelling in the abdomen.
Weight gain.
Sense of fullness.
Bloating.
Sense of heaviness.
Nausea or indigestion.
Vomiting.
Swelling in the lower legs.
A rounded, symmetrical contour of the abdomen with bulging flanks is often the first clue that someone has ascites.
Palpation of the abdomen in the person with ascites will often demonstrate a doughy, almost fluctuant sensation.
In advanced cases of ascites the abdominal wall will be tense due to distention from the contained fluid.
Ascites is a medical condition in which fluid collects in spaces within a persons abdomen.
If severe enough, ascites can be painful.
Ascites may keep you from moving around comfortably.
Ascites can also set the stage for an infection in your abdomen.
And fluid may also move into your chest and surround your lungs.
Ascites can also be life-threatening if you don't treat it and your liver fails.
If your liver fails as a result of ascites you'll need a liver transplant to replace your damaged organ.
There's no cure for ascites, although treatments and diet changes can relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and help you feel better.
Most cases of ascites have a mean survival time between 20 to 58 weeks, depending on the type of malignancy.
Ascites due to cirrhosis usually is a sign of advanced liver disease and it usually has a fair prognosis.
Ascites results from high pressure in certain veins of the liver (portal hypertension) and low blood levels of a protein called albumin.
Diseases that can cause severe liver damage can lead to ascites.
Ascites is the main complication of cirrhosis, and the mean time period to its development is approximately 10 years.
Ascites is a landmark in the progression into the decompensated phase of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor prognosis and quality of life; mortality is estimated to be 50% in 2 years.