ascites

(uh-SY-teez) Abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen that may cause swelling. In late-stage cancer, tumor cells may be found in the fluid in the abdomen. Ascites also occurs in patients with liver disease.

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, occurring naturally as a complication of cirrhosis of the liver, among other conditions. In the context of monoclonal antibody production, hybridoma cells are injected into mice to induce their proliferation in the resulting ascites. This method has been largely superseded by in vitro culture of hybridomas.