Coagulative and fibrinolytic properties of ascitic fluid associated with ovarian tumors.

Ascitic fluid samples from 19 patients with ovarian carcinoma, 3 with a benign ovarian tumor, and 5 with cirrhosis of the liver were examined for their content of coagulation factors and components of the fibrinolytic system. The concentration of trypsin inhibitors in the ascitic fluid was significantly higher in the presence of carcinoma. Large amounts of FDP were found in the ascitic fluid in all patients with malignant tumors, but not in the other two groups. Determination of FDP may therefore make it possible to differentiate between malignant and nonmalignant ascitic fluid.