Doctors at Fortis Memorial Research Institute successfully treated a 22-year-old woman from Iraq who was diagnosed with a rare giant pancreatic tumour known as Solid Pseudopapillary Epithelial Neoplasm (SPEN). The highly complex Whipple Procedure was led by Dr Amit Javed, Principal Director and HoD, GI, GI Onco, Bariatric, Robotic and MIS Surgery, along with Dr Narola Yanger, Principal Consultant in Gastrointestinal Oncology.
SPEN is an extremely rare pancreatic tumour that predominantly affects young women. Globally, the condition affects only around 0.1 to 0.2 people per 10 lakh population. Moreover, giant SPEN tumours larger than 10–15 cm are exceptionally uncommon, with only a few such cases documented in Indian medical literature.
Patient Faced Years of Pain and Distress
The patient arrived at Fortis Gurugram with severe upper abdominal pain radiating to her back. She had reportedly suffered for several years and experienced significant psychological distress after consulting multiple hospitals in India and abroad. According to the patient, several medical centres had informed her that surgery would be extremely difficult because of the tumour’s large size and its involvement with critical blood vessels.
However, she later approached Fortis Gurugram for further evaluation and treatment.
Detailed Investigations Revealed Massive Tumour
After admission, doctors conducted detailed medical investigations and identified a giant solid cystic tumour measuring nearly 15 × 10 cm in the head of the pancreas. The tumour weighed approximately 1.2 kg.
In addition, the tumour had extensively involved major abdominal veins and remained closely attached to surrounding structures, including the body’s main vein that carries blood back to the heart and a part of the small intestine. As a result, the surgery became highly challenging and medically demanding.
Doctors Perform Six-Hour Complex Whipple Procedure
Following extensive evaluation, the multidisciplinary team decided to perform a Whipple procedure to completely remove the tumour while preserving normal blood flow to the liver and intestines. As per the press release, complete surgical removal offers the best chance of cure in SPEN cases.
The surgery lasted nearly six hours, after which doctors closely monitored the patient in the ICU. Follow-up imaging later confirmed complete tumour removal without any major postoperative complications. Consequently, the patient recovered well and was discharged in stable condition within nine days.
Doctors Highlight Importance of Timely Treatment
Speaking about the case, Dr Amit Javed said, “This was an extremely rare and medically demanding case because of the giant size of the tumour and its involvement with nearby veins. Such tumours in young patients require meticulous planning, advanced surgical expertise and close multidisciplinary coordination.”
He further explained that delaying treatment could have allowed the tumour to grow further and involve more major blood vessels and surrounding organs, potentially leading to obstruction, bleeding and severe pain.
Meanwhile, Dr Narola Yanger noted that the most challenging aspect of the surgery involved safely removing the tumour while reconstructing the portal venous system to maintain adequate blood flow to the liver and intestines. He added that delayed intervention could have resulted in vascular obstruction, bleeding or even metastatic spread, thereby making surgery far riskier.
Fortis Gurugram Emphasises Advanced Surgical Expertise
Commenting on the successful outcome, Yash Rawat, Facility Director and Senior Vice-President at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, said that managing such a rare and complex pancreatic tumour in a young patient demonstrates the institute’s multidisciplinary expertise and advanced surgical capabilities.
He further stated that the successful treatment reflects Fortis Gurugram’s commitment to delivering world-class clinical care through advanced technology, collaborative excellence and patient-centric treatment.