Malignant Ascites

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

Women with new onset suspected malignant ascites:

  • Consider the diagnosis of malignant ascites when renal, liver and cardiac disease has been considered as a cause and eliminated

Women with tubal or ovarian or other gynaecological malignancy presenting with ascites may or may not have a significant pelvic mass.

For women presenting with newly suspected malignant ascites possibly due to a gynaecological malignancy. Contact with the services consultants via the Royal Hobart Hospital Switch or their Secretary (Phone: 6166 8049) will ensure prompt attention.  On occasion admission for prompt investigation is the optimal management.  All referrals should comply with referral standards.

Tests

  • FBE, LFT, C&E, coagulation profile
  • CT scan abdomen and pelvis  and chest
  • CEA
  • CA 125 level

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Gynaecologic Oncology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Urgent / category 1

Malignant ascites

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency:

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent:

We will endeavour to see urgent referrals for women with a suspected or proven gynaecologic malignancy within one to two weeks.  If you have any trouble obtaining an urgent appointment please contact our secretary on (03) 6166 8049.

Semi-urgent:

Women will be given an appointment between one to eight weeks depending upon reason for referral

Routine: