World’s largest Adrenal Tumor removed from patient with BMI- 48

New Delhi, 30 March, 2017: 55-year-old patient Mr. Ashwini Marwah (in the above pic) was gaining weight for the last few years. He was also suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension. This prompted the patient to consider bariatric surgery. During evaluation and investigations by Dr Anoop Mishra, Chairman, Fortis C-DOC, he was found to have a large abdominal tumor of size 30X25cms completely occupying the right side of the abdomen and also crossing over to the left side . He was unaware of the tumour and except for causing an increase in his weight, dragging sensation and heaviness  on the right side of the abdomen he was presently asymptomatic .The location of tumor was adjacent to vital organs particularly Kidney, Inferior Venacava and intestines. He was refereed to Dr Randeep Wadhawan, Director, MAS, Bariatric & GI  Surgery at Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj (FHVK).

According to Dr Wadhawan – “there are increasing incidence of large adrenal myelolipoma (>10cm) presenting with life threatening and recurrent retroperitoneal hemorrhage leading to  complications such as abscess and rupture . In case of Mr. Ashwini, with body mass index (BMI) of 48, diabetes Mellitus, hypertension and early changes of Nephropathy, he was a high risk candidate for surgery. He was evaluated extensively prior to surgery. We had to make a large incision on his abdomen in view of the giant size of the tumor. The tumor on removal weighed 11.5kgs, making it the largest adrenal myelolipoma ever to be excised. It was also highly vascular and attached to Right Kidney, Inferior Venacava and intestines . The biggest challenge in his case was to salvage his right kidney since his kidney functions were  already  affected due to his comorbidities like  diabetes and hypertension. Histopathology of the tumor confirmed the diagnosis of adrenal myelolipoma. ”

The largest tumors to have been reported in India so far weighed 6 kgs and was removed in 2003. The largest adrenal adenoma, which is one the differential diagnosis for the adrenal tumors, removed in the world weighed 7.5 kgs and was removed from a patient in 2013 claiming it to be the largest adrenal tumor to have been removed before the one found inside Mr. Marwah. Adrenal myelolipoma is a very rare benign tumor, which contains mature adipose tissue and variable amounts of haematopoietic, elements. Most lesions are small and asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. It is usually small, asymptomatic and non-functional in nature with an overall incidence of 0.05-0.2%.

Mr. Abrarali Dalal, Facility Director, Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj (FHVK) said, “The MAS ,Bariatric & GI Surgery team at FHVK has a very advanced and comprehensive care program intended to handle rare of the rare cases. Dr Wadhawan and his team have achieved another clinical milestone to perform a complex 4hrs surgery on morbidly obese patient to give him a new lease of life. We are grateful to our patients who have shared the stories of their recovery today. This is the best reward for us as a team.”

Mr Ashwini Marwah happily shared his experience, “I was taken by surprise when Dr Wadhawan told me that your weight gain is not due to Diabetes  but due to a Giant Adrenal Tumor. Greater relief was shared by Dr Wadhawan when he told me that tumor is not harming my other organ and was removable. Post-surgery I have lost more than 30kgs and now my diabetes is also under control. My recovery period post-surgery has been very comfortable and thanks to Dr Wadhawan and his team to give me a new and healthy life.”