A timely operation by a team of surgeons from Kolkata saved the life of a young lady who had confusing belly distension that was initially misdiagnosed as pregnancy, revealing a huge 6-kilogram splenic tumour.

A timely operation by a team of surgeons from Kolkata saved the life of a young lady who had confusing belly distension that was initially misdiagnosed as pregnancy, revealing a huge 6-kilogram splenic tumour.

This incredible medical feat occurred at Kolkata’s Divine Nursing Home when a team of expert surgeons headed by Dr Sanjoy Mandal performed a complex four-hour operation to remove the massive 35 cm x 30 cm x 25 cm tumour.

The young lady's ordeal began with gradual abdominal swelling that led her family to believe she was expecting a baby.

When they went to the doctor, they discovered that her abdomen contained a massive cancer in her spleen.

Talking to Drug Today Medical Times exclusively, eminent gastro-oncologist Dr Sanjoy Mandal said, “This potentially fatal tumour had positioned itself in a dangerous position, pressing on her pancreas, stomach, large intestine, and even infiltrating the left side of her diaphragm.”

Pointing out that spleen tumours are very rare, Dr Mandal added, “What surprised us is that the family as well as the patient did not realise such a heavy growth cannot be pregnancy-related.”

“It took us to muster all our skills and four long hours to remove such a complicated tumour, and we had to battle many odds to save her,” Dr Mandal said.

He further informed that the patient needed only four days of hospitalisation before she was discharged and is currently recovering, which he described as nothing short of a 'medical marvel’.