Fibrinogen degradation products (F.D.P.) in ascitic fluid of patients affected by ovarian cancer

Ascitic fluid samples from 10 patients with ovarian carcinoma and 10 with cirrhosis of the liver were examined for their content of components of the fibrinolytic system. Large amounts of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (F.D.P.) were found in the ascitic fluid in all patients with malignant tumors, but not in the other group. Determination of F.D.P. may therefore make it possible to differentiate between malignant and non-malignant ascitic fluid.