Doctors remove 18-kilogram ovarian tumour in Graz

Doctors at the University Hospital Graz successfully removed an 18-kilogram ovarian tumour from a woman aged over 50, ORF reported. The 40-centimetre tumour was found to be benign.

Two weeks passed between the first CT scan at the Hartberg site of the Eastern Styria State Hospital and the three-hour operation in Graz. An 11-member team removed the tumour through an abdominal incision.

During the operation, doctors needed to determine whether the tumour was benign or malignant. Tissue was examined at the Institute of Pathology for Diagnostics and Research, which identified it as a benign cystadenofibroma.

Armin Bader said the size of a tumour does not indicate whether it is malignant.

The patient recovered well and was able to leave the hospital two days after the operation. She did not require additional treatment. Follow-up care will take place at the Hartberg hospital site near her home.

Karl Tamussino, head of the Clinical Division of Gynaecology, described the operation and treatment as an example of a functioning hospital network. The case also highlighted the importance of regular gynaecological check-ups to detect changes at an early stage.