Final answer:
Ascites refers to fluid accumulation in the abdomen, often linked to liver or heart issues. Pelvic washings are a diagnostic test for cancer cells in the pelvic fluid.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, while pelvic washings involve collecting peritoneal fluid to detect cancerous cells.
Ascites is typically a symptom of liver disease, heart failure, or cancer. It involves a noticeable increase in abdominal girth and can require medical intervention to diagnose the underlying condition and remove excess fluid for comfort and health. Pelvic washings, on the other hand, are a diagnostic procedure used primarily in gynecologic oncology. During this procedure, a saline solution is introduced into the pelvic cavity, then removed and analyzed for the presence of malignant cells, to assist in staging cancers like ovarian cancer.