Bagamoyo woman recovers after doctors remove 5.5 kg ovarian tumour

Dar es Salaam. A 52-year-old woman from Bagamoyo, Coast Region, has overcome a significant health challenge after undergoing surgery to remove a 5.5-kilogram tumour from her ovary.

Speaking to The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi, the woman, whose identity is being withheld, recounted how her ordeal began in August 2024.

She experienced severe abdominal pain that left her unable to perform house chores and forced her to spend much of her time in bed.

"In August last year, I began feeling intense pain in my abdomen. It felt as if I were pregnant, and I couldn’t sit or stand,” she narrated in an exclusive interview.

“Eating became difficult as I could only manage small amounts of food,” she added, noting that even sleeping was hard due to the pain.

"My belly started growing quickly, which was alarming. It was as though I were pregnant," she said.

The woman sought medical attention at Bunju Public Hospital, where she was later referred to Mwananyamala Hospital for specialised treatment.

Her son, Mr Yahaya Miraji, explained how they took immediate action once they realised her condition was worsening.

"We first had an ultrasound, and then she was transferred to Mwananyamala, where a CT scan revealed the tumour in her ovary," said Mr Miraji.

"Following the results, doctors started a treatment plan, but her fluctuating blood pressure posed additional challenges," he added.

With the support of the medical team, a seven-hour surgery on January 7, 2025, successfully removed the tumour.

Experts weigh in

A women's health specialist at Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital, Dr Taiba Haidar, confirmed that the tumour weighed 5.5 kilograms and was located in the woman’s left ovary.

Discussing the causes of such conditions, Dr Haidar noted that factors such as being overweight and early onset of menstruation can contribute to ovarian tumours.

"Smoking, family history, and genetic factors also play a role. There’s no single cause, but smoking, which contains carcinogens, can increase the risk. Early menstruation leads to longer periods of ovarian function, which may heighten the likelihood of tumour development," said the specialist.

Dr Haidar recommended that women undergo regular health check-ups, at least once a year or every six months, as tumours often grow slowly.

"Women in rural areas should seek regular check-ups. Those with fewer or no children are at a higher risk," she explained.

"It is also crucial to avoid smoking, eat healthily, exercise, and stay on top of regular health screenings," added Dr Haidar.

She emphasised that these issues predominantly affect women over 40, while younger women may notice changes in their menstrual cycles.

Common early symptoms include persistent abdominal pain, difficulty eating, and discomfort due to pressure on the stomach, bladder, and intestines.

An obstetrics and gynaecology specialist at Ifakara Mission Hospital in Morogoro Region, Dr Elias Kweyamba, explained that ovarian tumours often begin as small cysts filled with fluid, which can occur in any woman.

"These cysts can sometimes become infected with bacteria. Women at higher risk tend to be older, have had many pregnancies, or have had few pregnancies," he said.

Dr Kweyamba also noted that some ovarian tumours could lead to ovarian cancer.

"Tumours can grow at varying rates, from small cysts to large growths, sometimes as large as a baby’s head," he said.