REMOVING MASSIVE OVARIAN TUMOR METASTASIZED FROM ABDOMINAL STRUCTURES

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and aggressive gastrointestinal cancers, with a high rate of metastasis. Malignant tumors may arise in any section of the colon — including the cecum, colon, or rectum — and frequently spread to the liver, lungs, lymph nodes, ovaries, brain, and bones.

Revealed a giant ovarian tumor by CT Scans

Recently, Mrs. M.K. (63 years old, from Cambodia) — with a prior history of malignant cecal tumor and having undergone 3 cycles of chemotherapy — was admitted to Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital in critical condition. She presented with fatigue, severe abdominal pain, anemia, bilateral pleural effusion, and massive ascites, all contributing to a severely deteriorated physical state.

Clinical examination, blood tests, and abdominal CT scan revealed a giant ovarian tumor likely metastasized from the primary cecal malignancy. Imaging showed that the ovarian mass measured 30×30 cm, while the original cecal tumor was 7×8 cm. Both were adherent to surrounding abdominal structures and posed a high risk of invasion into nearby organs.

Following a period of intensive supportive care to stabilize her condition, surgical planning commenced.

Perform a complex operation to save patient

The oncology surgical team — including Dr. Nguyen Trung Duong, MMed, Specialist Level I and Dr. Mai Van Dung, MMed, Specialist Level I — collaborated with the anesthesiology team to perform a complex operation. The patient underwent complete resection of the abdominal and ovarian tumor, along with pleural fluid drainage. The procedure lasted nearly three hours, during which the surgeons successfully removed a 10-kilogram metastatic mass originating from the abdomen and invading the ovary.

According to Dr. Nguyen Trung Duong, MMed, Specialist Level I, Deputy Head of the General Surgery Department, this case posed multiple challenges:

“The patient had underlying coronary artery disease and essential hypertension, compounded by a severely weakened condition, which significantly increased the risk of intraoperative mortality. Furthermore, the large tumor was firmly attached to multiple abdominal organs, requiring careful and skillful dissection to avoid complications”.

Following surgery, the patient regained stability and was able to drink water and communicate normally. However, due to the metastatic nature of the disease, she would need ongoing chemotherapy to eliminate any remaining malignant cells.

Early detection is critical in colorectal cancer. If left untreated, cancer cells can rapidly proliferate and metastasize. In advanced stages, the treatment goal shifts to symptom control, pain relief, and life extension. Surgery remains one of the most effective interventions within a multimodal cancer treatment strategy, aiming to remove tumor burden, enhance quality of life, and improve survival rates.

By successfully removing this advanced metastatic tumor, the surgical team at Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital has opened new hope for patients with late-stage colorectal cancer.

Dr. Duong emphasizes the importance of routine health check-ups, especially upper and lower GI endoscopy for individuals over 40 years old, to detect gastrointestinal cancers at an early stage. Warning signs to watch for include chronic digestive disorders, unexplained weight loss, blood in stool, and fatigue or weakness.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital accepts both public health insurance and private health insurance.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital

No. 88, Street No. 8, Trung Son Residential Area, Binh Hung Commune, Ho Chi Minh City.

Hotline: 18006767

info@nih.com.vn

BRC: No. 0312088602, issued on December 14th, 2012 by the Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City. Medical Examination and Treatment License No. 230/BYT-GPHĐ, issued by the Ministry of Health.