KCMC surgeons successfully remove 2kg lung tumour in operation breakthrough

Moshi. A team of specialist surgeons at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) has successfully removed a two-kilogram tumour from the lung of a 30-year-old man in a five-hour operation hailed as a major medical breakthrough.

The procedure, medically known as a thoracotomy with tumour excision, was conducted on Thursday, August 28, 2025, under the leadership of Prof Kondo Chilonga, assisted by thoracic surgeon Dr Hiten Solanki, and a multi-disciplinary team of experts.

According to doctors, the patient had long been experiencing difficulty in breathing before being referred to KCMC for advanced diagnostic tests.

“After carrying out a series of investigations, including a chest CT scan, we discovered a large tumour occupying the left lung, along with excessive fluid in the chest cavity,” Dr Solanki told The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi on Friday, August 29, 2025.

“As a panel of specialists, we agreed surgery was the best option. We successfully removed the tumour, which weighed two kilogrammes,” added Solanki.

The operation, which lasted five hours, was described by hospital officials as both delicate and high-risk, given the tumour’s size and its impact on the patient’s lung function.

Patient in stable condition

Following the surgery, the patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for close monitoring.

Dr Solanki confirmed that he remains in a stable condition and is responding positively to treatment.

KCMC’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Gabriel Chisseo, said the patient has made steady progress since the procedure.

“We are thankful to our team of specialists for this great achievement. The patient was placed in the ICU immediately after surgery and is now showing remarkable improvement,” he said.

“At present, he can communicate, although medical protocols limit him from speaking too much. In two days, he will be transferred to a general ward,” added Mr Chisseo.

Call for early check-ups

Dr Solanki used the occasion to urge Tanzanians to adopt the habit of routine medical check-ups, stressing that early detection of serious illnesses can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes.

“If this tumour had been detected earlier, the patient could have been treated before his condition became this severe. Unfortunately, many patients only seek help when their illnesses have reached advanced stages,” he said.

Major milestone for KCMC

The successful surgery has been celebrated at KCMC, one of Tanzania’s leading referral and teaching hospitals, as evidence of the hospital’s growing capacity to handle complex thoracic procedures.

Mr Chisseo noted that the operation demonstrated the hospital’s expertise and commitment to saving lives.

“This is a milestone not only for KCMC but also for the entire country’s health sector. It shows we have the right specialists, infrastructure, and teamwork needed to manage highly complicated cases,” he said.

He added that the hospital continues to receive patients from across Tanzania and neighbouring countries seeking specialised care.

The bigger picture

Experts say lung tumours, whether cancerous or benign, are often life-threatening due to their impact on breathing and heart function.

In many cases across Tanzania, such conditions are detected late because of limited access to advanced imaging services such as CT scans.

Medical professionals argue that the KCMC case underscores the urgent need for increased investment in early screening and specialised cancer care centres across the country.

For the patient, however, the immediate future looks brighter. With the tumour successfully removed, doctors are optimistic about his recovery and long-term prognosis, provided he continues with post-surgical treatment and monitoring.