Rare 14.5 kg Cancerous Abdominal Tumour removed from 55-Year-Old Woman in Life-Saving 10-Hour Surgery at Fortis Escorts Okhla
doctors at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Okhla successfully removed a massive 14.5 kg cancerous abdominal tumour from a 55-year-old woman during a highly complex 10-hour surgery. Led by Dr. Archit Pandit, Director – Surgical Oncology, the team of doctors performed an intricate open surgical procedure to safely excise the tumour, making it one of the largest tumour resections reported in India. Such tumours are exceedingly rare, accounting for less than 1% of all abdominal tumours and representing a small fraction of already uncommon sarcoma cases.
The patient Kuldeep Kaur, a Nurse by Profession, had been battling severe breathlessness and difficulty walking for nearly four months, as the rapidly enlarging tumour progressively compromised her mobility and overall quality of life. Owing to the tumour’s enormous size and the complexity of the required procedure, she was reportedly declined treatment at several hospitals in Delhi. Seeking a solution, she approached Fortis Escorts Okhla, where a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation – including PET-CT, CT scan, and MRI, revealed a massive tumor, which occupied a significant portion of the abdominal cavity. Given its extraordinary size and anatomical complexity, the case presented a formidable surgical challenge. Without timely intervention, the tumour could have led to life-threatening complications
The team of doctors including Dr Archit Pandit, Director, Surgical Oncology, Dr Kushal Bairoliya, Consultant, GI Surgical Oncology and Dr Vineet Goel, Consultant, Surgical Oncology, Fortis Escorts, Okhla, Delhi performed a complex Laparotomy (a traditional open surgical procedure that involves making a large incision in the abdominal wall) where they surgically extracted the cancerous tumor – 30×30 cms in size, from deep inside the abdomen. The tumour had completely surrounded the left kidney, so the kidney also had to be removed. At the same time, the patient was found to have a large fibroid (non-cancerous growth) in the uterus, so the doctors removed the uterus, both ovaries, and fallopian tubes as part of the same procedure. After carefully separating the tumour from nearby organs and controlling blood vessels, the entire tumour was removed successfully. Post-surgery, the patient was discharged in a stable condition in a week.
Dr. Archit Pandit, Director, Surgical Oncology, Fortis Escorts Okhla, Delhi said, “This was not merely a challenging operation because of the tumour’s extraordinary size – it was a race against time, as surgery represented the patient’s only realistic chance of survival. With the tumour showing no response to chemotherapy and no effective alternative treatment options available, surgical intervention became imperative. Successfully removing a tumour of this magnitude while safeguarding vital structures required the highest level of oncological/surgical expertise. Cases of this scale are exceptionally rare in surgical oncology, and the successful resection of one of the largest abdominal tumours reported in India stands as a significant clinical milestone achieved at Fortis Escorts, Okhla. It reflects not only the advances in modern cancer surgery but also the strength of a multidisciplinary approach in delivering life-saving outcomes for patients facing the most complex oncological challenges.”
Dr Kushal Bairoliya, Consultant, GI Surgical Oncology, Fortis Escorts Okhla, Delhi said, “Removing the tumour was only part of the challenge. The real test lay in safely preserving the surrounding organs and vital blood vessels, ensuring that the patient could recover smoothly after such a complex operation.”
Dr Vikram Aggarwal, Vice President & Head – Strategic Business Unit, Fortis Escorts, Okhla, New Delhi said, “This case highlights the critical role of timely surgical intervention, multidisciplinary expertise, and advanced oncological care in successfully managing rare and high-risk cancerous tumours. The successful outcome not only transformed the patient’s prognosis and quality of life but also underscores the capability of Fortis Escorts, Okhla, in handling some of the most complex cancer cases through surgical excellence, innovation, and patient-centric care.”
