Role of the body mass index in the genesis of ascites in ovarian cancer: a forensic case and review of the literature

Abstract

The ovarian tumour is the seventh female cancer for incidence. In the advanced stages of cancer, tumour cells nourish on the peritoneal serous causing carcinomatosis and peritoneal function abnormalities with liquid build-up inside it. Ascites from peritoneal carcinomatosis is common in patients with ovarian cancer. An obese woman suffering from ovarian cancer was found dead in her home from secondary cardio-respiratory arrest due to Multiple Organ Failure (MOF). An autopsy was performed. The abdominal incision showed an ascitic fluid outflow about 20 litres in volume and a flood about one metre and half. An association between obesity and intraperitoneal fluid volume secondary to peritoneal carcinomatosis has been demonstrated. This finding could improve the prognosis of patients through actions aimed to reduce body weight.

Perirenal Adipose Tissue—Current Knowledge and Future Opportunities

“…According to the results of a recently published study on a group of 258 patients with stage III and IV ovarian cancer, PRAT thickness of more than 5 mm has been associated with a lower survival rate [ 77 ]. This finding supplements the observation that overexpression of adiponectin and leptin in patients with visceral obesity induces the progression of ovarian cancer and its recurrence, as a result of leptin-potentiated IL-6 synthesis and its contribution to survival of dormant tumor cells [ 78 , 79 ]. Furthermore, the immunosuppressive cytokines produced by PRAT, such as IL-10, along with the suppression of IL-6, IL-12p40, and CD86 result in stimulation of ovarian cancer progression, while stimulation of IFNγ, by abrogating IL-12 inhibition, leads to a favorable prognosis in malignant ascites [ 77 ].…”