Doctors at Fortis Memorial Research Institute have successfully performed a highly complex Whipple Procedure on a 22-year-old woman from Iraq diagnosed with Solid Pseudopapillary Epithelial Neoplasm (SPEN), a rare and giant pancreatic tumour predominantly found in young women.

The surgery was led by Dr Amit Javed along with Dr Narola Yanger. Doctors removed a massive tumour measuring nearly 15×10 cm and weighing approximately 1.2 kg after a challenging six-hour operation.

The patient had been suffering from severe upper abdominal pain radiating to her back for several years. The condition had also caused immense psychological distress after multiple consultations at hospitals in India and abroad reportedly left her with little hope. Due to the large size of the tumour and its involvement with critical blood vessels, she had been told that surgery would be extremely difficult.

Seeking further treatment, she approached Fortis Gurugram, where detailed investigations revealed a giant solid cystic tumour in the head of the pancreas. Doctors found that the tumour had extensively involved major abdominal veins and was closely attached to surrounding structures, including a major vein responsible for carrying blood back to the heart and parts of the small intestine, making the surgery highly complicated.

A multidisciplinary team at the hospital decided to perform a Whipple Procedure to completely remove the tumour while ensuring uninterrupted blood flow to the liver and intestines. According to doctors, complete surgical removal offers the best chance of cure in SPEN cases.

Following the surgery, the patient was closely monitored in the ICU. Follow-up imaging later confirmed complete tumour removal with no significant post-operative complications. She recovered well and was discharged in stable condition within nine days.

Speaking about the case, Dr Amit Javed said the tumour’s rare nature and its involvement with nearby veins made the procedure medically demanding.

“If the patient was not treated on time, the tumour could have continued to enlarge and further involve major blood vessels and surrounding organs, potentially leading to obstruction, bleeding and severe pain. Delayed treatment would also have made surgery significantly more difficult and riskier,” he said.

Dr Narola Yanger said the biggest challenge was safely removing the tumour while reconstructing the portal venous system to maintain adequate blood flow to vital organs.

“Delayed treatment could have led to further vascular involvement, obstruction, bleeding or even metastatic spread, making surgery far riskier,” he added.

Commenting on the successful outcome, Yash Rawat said the case reflected the hospital’s advanced surgical expertise and multidisciplinary approach in handling rare and complex pancreatic tumours.