Refractory ascites in the chronic myeloproliferative syndrome: a case report.

In a patient with myelofibrosis, tense ascites refractory to conventional therapy resulted from extensive seeding of the peritoneum with colonies of extramedullary haematopoiesis. Whole abdominal radiation was found to be effective and well tolerated, and brought about prompt and lasting resorption of the exudate, with weight reduction and improvement in performance status from 50% to 90% on the Karnofsky rating.