Tumour weighing 20kg removed from Chennai woman’s ovary

CHENNAI: A suspected cancerous tumour, that weighed 20kg and was bigger than a basketball was removed from the left ovary of a 51-year-old woman in Chromepet here.

The woman, who found it difficult to breathe and move around with this huge tummy, is now recovering well after surgery, say doctors at the Government Hospital for Women and Children in Egmore.

Rathi, a housewife, was brought to hospital by her daughter on November 16. The woman told doctors that she had been suffering from stomach pain for nearly a decade and had first learnt about the tumour in her ovary nearly seven years ago.

"Doctors had told her that she might have to undergo a surgery and a few tests to see if it is malignant. She was scared, and she did not take any therapy," said hospital superintendent Dr Sampath Kumari. "This delay worsened her condition and pushed her into a high-risk category," she said.

An array of tests showed that she had a large ovarian tumour that was pressing against most abdominal organs. A week ago, a team of doctors removed the tumour along with the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes.

"We suspect it could be cancerous. We are waiting for the biopsy results. As of now, MRI scan reports showed no signs of cancer in other parts. If she has cancer, she may have to undergo further treatment including chemotherapy," she said.

Doctors had warned the family there were high chances of the tumour to rupture during the surgery, said senior surgeon Dr Seethalakshmi.

On Tuesday, a week after surgery, Rathi said, "I didn't think I would live through the surgery. I am happy to be alive. Now, I have gained courage to continue therapy, even if it is cancer," she said.

Cancer cases in Chennai

Cancer cases rose by 61% in women compared to 47% in men in the past three decades in Chennai, according to Chennai Metropolitan Tumour Registry. Doctors say for every 100 men diagnosed with cancer, there were 115 women -- most of who are suffering from cancers of the breast, cervix, ovary and uterus.

While there is a decline in the number of women testing positive for cervical cancer, the incidence of cancer in breast and reproductive organs are on the rise.

The state has made treatment free for most patients in all government hospitals. "Treatment can also be done with the help of chief minister's health insurance both in government and private hospitals," Dr Seethalakhsmi said. "The key to cancer therapy is early detection and intervention," she added.