12 Kg Cancerous Gastric Tumour Successfully Removed from a 67-Year-Old Ethiopian Woman in a Rare, High-Risk Surgery

Gurugram: In a demonstration of advanced surgical expertise and collaborative care, a multidisciplinary team of doctors at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram successfully removed a Giant Cancerous Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST) from the abdomen of a 67-year-old woman from Ethiopia.

The highly complex surgery was led by Dr. Amit Javed, Principal Director and HoD, GI, GI Onco, Bariatric, Robotic and MIS Surgery, along with Dr. Narola Yanger, Principal Consultant in Gastrointestinal Oncology at the Institute. Utilizing meticulous pre-operative planning and precise surgical techniques, the team removed the massive 12 kg tumour, marking a significant achievement in high-risk oncological surgery.

Patient Tahir Abdi Hirsi presented at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram with severe abdominal pain and a persistent sensation of a hard, immobile mass in her stomach that had progressively disrupted her daily life, causing constant pain, loss of appetite, and visible abdominal swelling.

After comprehensive medical evaluations - including upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, CT scan, and PET-CT imaging, she was diagnosed with an exceptionally rare, giant gastric GIST, a tumour type known for its unpredictable behaviour and surgical complexity when diagnosed at such an advanced size.

Given her worsening symptoms and the tumour’s compression of adjacent organs, the multidisciplinary medical team at Fortis Gurugram determined that surgical intervention offered the best and safest chance for cure, leading to a successful high-risk operation to excise the tumour.

During the surgery, the medical team found that the cancerous tumour originated from the stomach and was extensively involving neighbouring structures, including the left lobe of the liver and the spleen, while lying in very close proximity to the pancreas and the colon.

Because of the tumour’s extraordinary size, the surgeons were unable to accurately delineate its upper extent using a standard abdominal approach, and thus a thoracotomy (opening both the chest and the abdomen to gain adequate exposure) was added which increased the complexity of the procedure.

Despite these significant challenges and the inherent risks involved, the team proceeded with the surgery. Thanks to meticulous surgical technique and comprehensive peri-operative care, the patient made a smooth recovery and was discharged in stable condition nine days after surgery.

Dr Amit Javed, Principal Director and HOD, GI, GI Onco, Bariatric, Robotic and MIS Surgery, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram said, “Treatment for such giant tumours are often refused by hospitals due to the high risk of uncontrolled bleeding and peri-operative complications. This case stands out not only due to the extraordinary size of the tumour, but also because of the uncertainty it posed even before surgery.

Tumours of such extraordinary size are extremely uncommon and present significant surgical challenges, as normal anatomical planes are distorted and the risk of severe bleeding or tumour rupture during surgery is high. We performed a thoracoabdominal surgery, which involved opening both the chest and the abdomen.

The patient underwent a carefully planned surgery in which the tumour was removed, along with the stomach, spleen, and part of the liver, to ensure complete removal of the cancer. Despite the technical difficulty and high risk of blood loss, the surgery was completed successfully in approximately three hours, with minimal blood loss and no intra-operative complications.”

Expressing her gratitude, Patient said, “Before coming to Fortis, I was in constant pain and could barely eat or move comfortably. I was scared and unsure if I would survive such a big surgery.

The doctors explained everything patiently and gave me the confidence to go ahead. Post the surgery, I feel like I’ve been given a second chance at life. I will always be grateful to the Team of Doctors at Fortis for their care, courage and compassion.”

Yash Rawat, Facility Director & Senior Vice-President, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram said, “This case exemplifies our commitment to advanced surgical care, teamwork and best-in-class outcomes, even in high-risk oncological cases. In this particular case, where the patient was refused treatment at other leading hospitals, Our Team of Doctors successfully treated the patient with good clinical outcomes.”