Doctors at Burjeel Specialty Hospital in Sharjah successfully removed a 16kg tumor, the size of a watermelon, from a 63-year-old patient.
The patient, identified as SA, had been living with a progressively enlarging abdomen for eight years, a condition that severely impacted his daily life, making simple activities like walking and sitting difficult.
Despite knowing about the tumor for several years, SA was initially scared of undergoing surgery. However, when his symptoms intensified over the past six months, he decided to seek medical help. His daily routine had become difficult due to swelling in his feet and severe back pain.
The surgical team at Burjeel Specialty Hospital treated the retroperitoneal tumor, which weighed the equivalent of four newborn babies. The tumor, measuring 50x50x40 cm, occupied all quadrants of his abdomen, displacing bowel loops and compressing major blood vessels like the aorta and inferior vena cava (IVC).
“When I first learned about my tumor, I was terrified of the surgery. But when my symptoms worsened, I decided to proceed after consulting with the doctors at Burjeel Hospital,” said SA. He described his symptoms as severe discomfort, disrupted sleep, and debilitating back pain.
Dr. Mohammed Basheeruddin Inamdar, a surgical oncologist consultant, explained that diagnostic imaging revealed a large heterogeneous mass. Fortunately, further tests confirmed the absence of distant metastases, and laboratory results were normal.
A multidisciplinary team, including oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and nuclear medicine specialists, recommended surgical intervention. SA agreed to the surgery after consultations with experts including Prof Humaid Alshamsi, CEO of Burjeel Cancer Institute, and other specialists.
SA underwent a complex laparotomy to remove the tumor, following bilateral ureteric catheterization. Dr. Inamdar highlighted the meticulous planning required for the surgery due to the tumor’s size and its compression of major vessels.
The five-hour procedure was led by Dr. Inamdar, with support from Dr. Omar Hnaidi, a urologist and robotic surgeon, and Dr. Mohamed Eid Ali, an anesthesia consultant.
Reflecting on the surgery, SA said, “The procedure was smooth, and I felt a significant relief afterward. By day two, I was independent and much lighter, having lost close to 20 kilograms.” His symptoms improved dramatically post-surgery, and he was discharged from the hospital on the sixth day.
The cause of the tumor is not specific, but it developed from normal fat in the retroperitoneal compartment that mutated and multiplied. Follow-up care for SA includes physical examinations every three months and annual scans.
This case underscores the importance of early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention. SA expressed his gratitude, saying, “I wish I had undergone the procedure earlier. I would like to thank the medical team at Burjeel Specialty Hospital, Sharjah, for their expertise and support.”
