Doctors remove a 17-kilo tumor

17 kilo tumor patient: doctors remove tumor the size of a medicine ball

06/23/2013

A 50-year-old female patient underwent a 17-kilogram tumor in the gynecological clinic at Lübbecke-Rahden Hospital. The gigantic ovarian tumor was benign.

No pain and no complaints
Although it is hard to believe, but the patient Kerstin Gründling from Rahden, in which the mega-tumor was removed, told: „I have not had any pain and no complaints.“ The 50-year-old, who works in a bakery, although since last autumn noticed a significant increase in weight, but not thought much of it, until then also feeling of fullness and ultimately vomiting occurred. The situation was similar in August last year, when a woman at the University of Cologne removed a more than 14 kilogram ovarian tumor. She also observed a slight increase in weight and an increase in abdominal circumference for about six months, but otherwise felt well.

Even the Rahdenerin had noticed late: „Something is wrong with me.“ She had just logged off at work for two days to be examined at the Rahden Hospital. „I was unaware that they would keep me in the hospital right away.“ Dr. Nils Ewald, chief physician of internal medicine, said: „Actually, only an ultrasound examination and a gastroscopy should be done.“ In case of unclear discomfort in the digestive area this is a standard procedure. „But already during the ultrasound it became clear: There is something and it is big“, Ewald Clarity then made an investigation with the computer tomograph: a one-sided tumor of the ovaries, which had to be operated on quickly.

The tumor had flattened the stomach and intestines
The CT image was transferred to Minden via data line and the experts agreed. The patient was immediately transferred to the gynecological department in Lübbecke and her boss was dr. Albert Neff made it clear that an operation would be necessary. Today the native of Greifswalder says: „I could not believe it at first. But Dr. Neff remained serious, and I realized that it was critical. And with me the first tears rolled.“ Already five days after the first examination was operated on.

Dr. Neff explains: „The tumor had flattened the stomach and intestines. It was no wonder that the patient could eat only a little.“ In addition, the experienced gynecologist added about the two-hour operation: „It also took a big cut to get the tumor whole. Fortunately, that was easy.“ Thereafter, the tissue of the tumor was examined. „Only after an operation can we say whether the finding is good or bad. X-rays do not show that to us. This time everything was fine: no cancer“, so the surgeon. In addition, he explained: „The tumor had a size of 30 by 40 centimeters, like an exercise ball.“ However, he did not weigh three kilos like a ball, but 17 kilograms.

Patient advises for check-ups
How such a huge tumor can go unnoticed Neff: „The tissue grows relatively slowly. Many sufferers realize very late that they have a serious illness.“ It is unusual, however, that an ovarian tumor assumes such proportions. The patient, on her way to recovery, said: „I did not notice and did not suspect abdominal disease because my uterus had been removed years ago.“ The 50-year-old recommends that all women undergo regular gynecological examinations. „That's why I agreed to make my story public.“ In fact, it is well known that cancer screening can be useful and often life-saving. However, there is a need for improvement, not so much because of the available offers, but rather because of the lack of demand, as was explained on the occasion of the presentation of the cancer report Bayern. In Bavaria, for example, only about half of all eligible women use cancer screening and only about a quarter of men make use of it. Referring to the current case in North Rhine-Westphalia, Dr. Albert Neff: „It is true that with every routine examination the tumor would have been noticed earlier.“ Out of shame, many women would not go to the gynecologist. (Ad)