Abu Dhabi:A multidisciplinary surgical team at NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City, has successfully removed a rare cancerous tumour weighing 4.4 kilograms from a 49-year-old patient. The complex six-hour operation involved several vital organs and posed significant surgical challenges.

According to Wam, the tumour, which measured 36 centimetres in length, originated from the patient's 12th rib and extended into the abdominal cavity. This type of cancer affects approximately one person in every two million annually, and the growth into the abdominal cavity is particularly uncommon.

The tumour was exceptionally large, measuring 36 by 17 centimetres and displacing several major abdominal organs, including the liver, stomach, intestines, and kidney. The patient initially experienced pain on the right side of his abdomen five months prior to seeking medical attention.

During the operation, surgeons meticulously separated the tumour from surrounding structures, ensuring the protection of major blood vessels and vital organs. Dr. Hassan Elberm, who led the operation, highlighted the challenges presented by the tumour's size and its proximity to critical abdominal structures, which left limited space for surgical manoeuvring.

Dr. Elberm emphasized the importance of extensive preoperative planning and coordination among specialists from various surgical disciplines. The team successfully removed the entire tumour with minimal blood loss and without requiring a blood transfusion, a notable achievement given the complexity of the case.

The procedure involved removing affected organs and tissues to ensure appropriate surgical margins, reducing the risk of leaving cancerous tissue behind and improving the patient's chances of long-term survival.