4 kg liver tumor removed from a Nigerian Patient

Management Of Large Liver Tumors

A team of doctors led by Dr Ramcharan Thiagarajan, Consultant Surgical Gastroenterology & Hepato Pancreatic Biliary Surgery, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore recently performed a high risk surgery on a 60 year old Nigerian to remove a perilous tumor weighing 4 kilos surrounding his liver.

Mr. Giddy Ejeng was suffering from acute abdomen pain and had symptoms of anemia for almost about a year. While consulting with doctors in Nigeria he had got a CT scan done which revealed the giant sized liver tumor. Sensing the high risk involved, doctors at Nigeria referred the case to Fortis Hospitals Bangalore who has the expertise to perform such high risk surgeries. “The surgery performed is called “Trisegmentectomy” where major part of the liver is resected to remove the cancer leaving behind small portion of the normal liver. This surgery is possible because we all know liver regenerates quite fast. Had the surgery not being performed in time, the situation could turn fatal” explained Dr. Ramcharan Thiagarajan.

This was a case of a massive liver resection where two third of his liver was removed due to a gigantic tumor sitting on his tumor. The size of the tumor was unusually big and was impinging on the IVC (inferior vena cava) the large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower half of the body to the right atrium of the heart. The patient presented with severe abdominal pain and fatigue for four preceding months and loss of appetite. Examination revealed a large mass 20 cm x 15 cm occupying almost the whole of the liver.

"After adequate general anesthesia, the abdomen was opened in layers with an inverted T-shaped incision, detailed inspection of the liver and other abdominal organ was performed. The liver was mobilised to facilitate resection of the mass. A careful dissection of the tumor was performed thereby minimizing collateral tissue damage and blood loss” added Dr. Ramcharan Thiagarajan.

“I believe we should never give up hope even if sometimes everything seems to come to an end. We believed Giddy will be fine and cured completely. So when our doctor in Nigeria told us to take Giddy to India we knew they surely have the expertise to handle the case. May be this faith and conviction helped us in going through the difficult times. Since the surgery there has been a tremendous improvement in my husband’s health. I would like to thank the doctors at Fortis Hospitals for their support and warmth extended to us. They have treated my husband with utmost care” said Mrs. Giddy.