UAE Surgeons Successfully Remove Watermelon-Sized Tumor from 63-Year-Old Patient

A multidisciplinary team of surgeons at Burjeel Specialty Hospital in Sharjah has successfully removed a massive retroperitoneal tumor weighing nearly 16 kilograms from a 63-year-old patient. The tumor, comparable in size to a watermelon, had been growing for eight years, causing significant discomfort and impairing the patient’s daily activities.​

Patient’s Journey

The patient, identified as SA, had been experiencing progressive abdominal distension over the past eight years. Initially hesitant to undergo surgery due to fear, SA sought medical intervention when his symptoms worsened in the last six months, leading to difficulties in walking, sitting, and sleeping, as well as swelling in the feet and ankles, and severe back pain.​

Surgical Intervention

Upon admission to Burjeel Specialty Hospital, comprehensive diagnostic evaluations revealed a massive retroperitoneal tumor measuring 50x50x40 cm, occupying all quadrants of the abdomen and compressing major blood vessels, including the aorta and inferior vena cava (IVC).​

A multidisciplinary team, led by Dr. Mohammed Basheeruddin Inamdar, Consultant Surgical Oncologist, and supported by Dr. Omar Hnaidi, Consultant Urologist Laparoscopic and Robotic Urologic Surgeon, and Dr. Mohamed Eid Ali, Consultant Anesthetist, meticulously planned and executed a complex five-hour laparotomy to excise the tumor.​

“The large size of the tumor, its long-standing nature, and its proximity to vital structures required meticulous planning and precise execution,” said Dr. Inamdar. “The mass was compressing major vessels, including the aorta and IVC, and had multiple sources of blood supply, which we carefully managed. The entire multidisciplinary team played a crucial role in the successful outcome.”​

Postoperative Recovery

Following the surgery, SA experienced a dramatic improvement in symptoms. By the second day, he was mobile and reported feeling rejuvenated, having lost close to 20 kilograms. His leg swelling reduced significantly by day four, and he was discharged on the sixth day, resuming a normal diet. Ongoing follow-up care includes physical examinations every three months and annual scans to monitor his recovery.​

Patient’s Reflection

Reflecting on his experience, SA expressed gratitude towards the medical team: “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.”​

This case underscores the importance of early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention in optimizing patient outcomes and restoring functional health. The successful removal of such a large tumor highlights the advanced surgical capabilities and collaborative approach of the medical team at Burjeel Specialty Hospital