Gastric cancer presenting as isolated ascites: A diagnostic challenge

Abstract

Malignant ascites is a rare first manifestation of gastric carcinoma and is usually associated with symptoms which include early satiety, abdominal pain and deteriorating clinical state. The authors describe the case of a male patient presenting with malignant ascites of rapid onset which was the sole presentation of gastric cancer, highlighting the importance of upper gastric endoscopy even in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms.