US doctors remove 60kg ovarian tumour from woman
What's the story
In a medical case of epic proportions, an ovarian tumour weighing the same as a human adult was removed from the ovary of a 38-year-old woman from Connecticut, US. The tumour weighed 132 pounds (60kg) and measured almost three feet. The medical team which removed the tumour in February in a five-hour long operation consisted of 12 surgeons. Here are the details.
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The tumour is one of biggest in medical history
"Tumors this big are exceedingly rare in the literature. It may be in the top 10 or 20 tumours of this size removed worldwide," said gynaecological oncologist Vaagn Andikyan.
Diagnosis
The tumour grew at a rate of 4.5kgs per week
The 38-year-old patient sought medical help when she started putting on weight, averaging almost 4.5kgs (10 pounds) a week from November 2017. CT scans revealed a growing mass in her abdomen, and she was referred to gynaecological oncologist Vaagn Andikyan at Danbury Hospital. Needless to say, Andikyan was gobsmacked when he saw the tumour. The tumour, however, was benign.
Do you know?
The biggest tumour in medical history
The biggest tumour in medical history was found in 1994 in a 34-year-old patient. The patient had a multicystic ovarian mass that hit an unbelievable 137.4kgs (303.2 pounds). The patient had been bedridden for two years prior to the tumour's removal.
Surgery
The patient is recovering well after the surgery
The tumour had originated from the patient's left ovary. The team of surgeons removed her ovary, her left fallopian tube, the affected peritoneal tissue, and excess skin the tumour had stretched out across her abdomen. Her damaged abdominal wall was also reconstructed. After the surgery, the patient went home within two weeks, and is recovering well. She has gone back to working as a teacher.