Ascites. Coloured computed Tomography (CT) scan of an axial section through the abdomen, showing ascites. At left is the liver (red) occupying much of the abdomen to upper right. The stomach (centre right, purple) and spleen (lower right, red) are seen. Around these organs is fluid (green) giving rise to the condition of ascites. This fluid accumulates in the peritoneal cavity & here is associated with primary bowel cancer. Ascites is often seen in cirrhosis of the liver due to excessive alcohol consumption, heart or kidney failure. In cancer cases it is caused by spread of secondary tumours into the peritoneal cavity.