Surgeons at Mpilo Hospital Remove 50kg Ovarian Tumor, Saving Woman’s Life After Years of Suffering

In a remarkable achievement, surgeons at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, have successfully removed a 50kg ovarian tumor from a 32-year-old woman named Melody Ndlovu.

The complex operation lasted three hours and was crucial for saving her life.

Melody, from Mberengwa, had been living with significant discomfort for five years.

Initially, she believed she was pregnant after her menstrual cycles stopped, leading her to seek help from local health facilities and faith healers, but without any relief as the tumor continued to grow.

“This started around 2020. At first, I thought I was pregnant because I stopped having my monthly cycles. I visited our local hospital, and they said I had fibroids, but my stomach kept growing. I even sought help from prophets, but their prayers didn’t work,” she explained.

The tumor severely impacted her health, mobility, and social life.

“It affected my well-being. I couldn’t walk or work properly because the mass was too heavy. Some people even accused me of infidelity because of my appearance,” Ndlovu added.

Dr. Elton Sengurayi, the lead surgeon, highlighted the risks if the tumor had not been removed.

“We initially struggled to identify the type of tumor, but during surgery, we confirmed it was ovarian. If left untreated, it would have continued to grow, putting pressure on her lungs, kidneys, and affecting her bowel movements,” he said.

While the surgery was successful, Ndlovu is still under close medical observation as she continues her recovery.

-ZBC