Delhi doctors remove a 22kg tumour while preserving 32-year-old woman’s fertility, Health News, ET HealthWorld

NEW DELHI: Doctors at Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital have successfully removed a 22 kg cancerous tumour from a 32-year-old woman, while managing to save her uterus and an ovary. Despite the major surgery, the woman will be able to conceive in the future, as one of her ovaries has been preserved, said doctors.

Gynae-oncologist Dr Satinder Kaur, who performed the rare surgery, said she was surprised at how malnourished the woman had become with the huge tumour inside her. “I had done ovarian cancer surgeries earlier, but the size was never so big,” Dr Kaur said She added the cancer was fortunately detected in stage one, making it possible to preserve the uterus and an ovary.

The doctor further said that the surgery was performed last month and the patient is now doing well. Her hormonal functions are normal and she will be able to conceive. “Though recurrence is observed in less than 10% in the first stage of any type of cancer, we have suggested that she come to the hospital for follow-ups every three months as a standard protocol,” said Dr Kaur, adding that timely diagnosis and treatment is very important.

Nine months ago the young patient started noticing distinctive changes in her body. She started losing weight, with swelling in the abdomen. She thought these were some hormonal changes, but when the symptoms became severe she decided to consult a doctor. She was suspected to be suffering from ovarian cancer after an ultrasound and some advanced tests. The patient was in a state of shock, as she thought she would never be able to conceive.

According to the doctor, the 22 kg mass had turned out to be adenocarcinoma of the ovary. Generally symptoms in such cancer include vague bloating, discomfort in the pelvis or bladder, and bowel changes. However, initially instead of taking medical advice, she began dieting.

Following breast and cervical cancer, ovarian cancer is the third most common gynaecological cancer among Indian women.