9 kg ‘football-sized’ cancerous tumour removed from woman’s abdomen in Gurgaon

In a remarkable medical feat, doctors at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurgaon successfully removed a 9-kilogram cancerous tumour from the abdomen of a 55-year-old African woman. The complex surgery, led by Dr. Amit Javed, Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology, took three hours and was deemed highly intricate due to the tumour’s large size and its impact on vital organs.

A Long Struggle with Pain

The patient had endured severe abdominal pain for six to seven months. Despite seeking treatment at multiple hospitals in Africa, she had been unable to undergo surgery due to the high risks associated with the tumour’s size and location. Over time, the tumour’s growth had become debilitating, pressing on critical organs.

Critical Imaging and Complex Surgery

Upon her arrival in Gurgaon, the woman underwent several imaging tests, including CT angiography and PET scans, which revealed the tumour’s vascular nature and its compression of key organs like the kidneys and urinary pathways. Described as “football-sized,” the tumour’s origin was initially unclear.

“The surgery was exceptionally challenging, given the tumour’s size of 9.1 kilograms and the uncertainty about its origin,” Dr. Javed explained. “However, we were able to remove it successfully.”

A Rare and Dangerous Diagnosis

After the surgery, the tumour was identified as a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), a rare cancer that develops in the stomach wall. If untreated, GISTs can cause severe complications, including life-threatening internal bleeding.

Positive Outcome and Recovery

Fortunately, the surgery was a success, and the patient is recovering well. Dr. Javed and his team are relieved that they were able to remove the tumour before it caused further damage. With continued medical care, the patient is expected to make a full recovery, and her prognosis is positive.