Kozhikode, February 3, 2026: In a government medical college in Kozhikode, Kerala, doctors have successfully removed a massive 23 kg ovarian tumor from a 25-year-old woman. The procedure took place on Monday, February 2, 2026.
The procedure was carried out after the woman sought medical attention for a painless but unusual swelling in her stomach. The complex surgery was performed at the hospital’s Mother and Child Care Center. Upon performing medical tests, doctors discovered an unusually large ovarian growth measuring up to 45 cm in length and width.
The procedure was carried out by a multidisciplinary team under the supervision of senior specialists and lasted for about two hours. According to doctors, the surgery was quite complicated due to the size and weight of the tumor. However, the surgery was completed without any major complications, the report stated.
The patient is stable and recovering well, officials added. Health Minister Veena George praised the medical team for their skill and dedication.
A tumor is formed when normal cells lose the control mechanisms that regulate cell division. Ovarian tumors can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Ovarian tumors are broadly classified into three types:
Epithelial tumors, which arise from the cells on the surface of the ovary
Germ cell tumors, which develop from the egg-producing cells of the ovary
Stromal tumors, which often produce steroid hormones1
In a previously published article on MedBound Times, Dr. Priya Thakur Dubey, MBBS, DNB (OB-GYN), DGO, MRCOG-1, stated, “Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries, the female reproductive glands that produce eggs and hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.”
She also highlighted the importance of early detection:
”Early detection matters because the survival rates are significantly higher when ovarian cancer is diagnosed early.”
How does ovarian cancer occur?
Ovarian cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the ovary grow and multiply uncontrollably, forming a tumor.
What are the early signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Early symptoms of ovarian cancer are often subtle, but there are certain patterns women can watch for. These include persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly, difficulty eating, and changes in appetite.
Who is more prone to ovarian cancer?
Women over the age of 50, those with a family history of ovarian cancer, and individuals with endometriosis have a higher risk. Lifestyle factors such as obesity and long-term hormone replacement therapy also increase the risk. Smoking is not a major risk factor, but it may contribute to rarer types of ovarian cancer.
References:
1. Johns Hopkins Pathology. “Low-Grade Serous Carcinoma (Epithelial Tumor).” https://pathology.jhu.edu/ovarian-cancer/types-of-tumors
(Rh/VK)