In a rare and complex medical feat, doctors at Wellcare Hospital, Trichy, successfully removed a 12kg abdominal tumour from a 52-year-old woman. The patient had been suffering from abdominal swelling for nearly three years, coupled with recent weight loss and poor appetite.
Investigations revealed a tumour measuring 35×26 cm, occupying most of the abdominal cavity. The medical team described it as a “giant liposarcoma”, a rare malignant growth originating from fat cells.
A High-Risk, Five-Hour Surgery
- The surgery was led by Dr K Rajasekaran, consultant surgical gastroenterologist.
- The team also included anaesthetist Dr Gugan and surgeon Dr M Karthikeyan.
- The operation lasted five hours due to the tumour’s deep entanglement with critical structures like the right kidney, ureter, and major blood vessels.
Careful dissection was needed to prevent any damage to vital organs.
Patient Recovery and Diagnosis
The woman was placed under intensive post-operative care and is now recovering well.
A biopsy confirmed the tumour as a dedifferentiated liposarcoma, a rare and aggressive type of cancer. Tumours of this size—larger than 30 cm—are categorized as giant liposarcomas, with fewer than 100 cases reported globally.
Why This Matters
Such complex tumour surgeries are rare due to:
- The tumour’s size and location
- Involvement of major blood vessels
- Limited documented cases worldwide
This case highlights the growing capabilities of regional hospitals in managing advanced and high-risk surgeries, giving patients access to critical care closer to home.