In a rare case, a 25-year-old Pune woman was diagnosed with both a slow-growing mesenteric tumour and abdominal tuberculosis, but has now been treated successfully by doctors in the city.
The extraordinary medical case was take up and treated by successfully tackled by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr Gauri Jagdale, consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Motherhood Hospitals in Kharadi,
The new mother had developed a massive abdominal tumour and abdominal tuberculosis (TB) just months after delivering her baby. What began as a normal postpartum recovery quickly turned into a medical puzzle involving two rare conditions occurring simultaneously — a combination never recorded before in medical literature for someone so young.
Imagine bringing a baby into the world after a full-term pregnancy, believing the toughest days are behind you, only to be faced with two life-threatening health conditions at the same time. This was the painful reality of a 25-year-old new mother, a resident of Kharadi, a homemaker, whose journey shocked even experienced doctors. During her pregnancy, she had bravely managed a large 10–12 cm fibroid resting on top of her uterus. It was monitored through those difficult nine months and removed safely during her C-section. With her baby in her arms, she finally felt she could breathe again. She thought her struggles were over. The baby was born in October, and the couple were in joy.
But life had a different plan. Just five months after delivery, in the month of April, something began to change quietly inside her body. She couldn’t see it, but she could feel it, a strange heaviness, a dragging pain that made even simple daily tasks difficult. As a new mother, she brushed it aside at first, thinking it was just fatigue. But as the months passed and the pain grew, so did her fear. By seven months postpartum, she gathered her strength and returned to the doctor.
Doctors were left everyone stunned when they found it was a massive 18 cm abdominal mass of 527 grams in weight. so large that her stomach looked like she was five months pregnant again. Given her fibroid history, the team initially suspected another giant fibroid. But nothing about her symptoms or scans felt straightforward. Her young age, her good health, and the unusual presentation all added to the medical mystery. Behind the medical details was a young mother silently battling confusion, discomfort, and fear, trying to care for her baby while hiding her growing anxiety, hoping for answers and praying for relief.
Dr Jagdale, explained, “This case reminded us how unpredictable postpartum recovery can be. The patient was young, healthy, and had already undergone fibroid removal during her C-section. When she returned with a large mass months later, we suspected another fibroid — but her scans and symptoms did not match. During surgery, when we discovered the tumour coming from the mesentery, not the uterus, it completely changed the diagnosis. What made this case extraordinary was the second surprise — abdominal tuberculosis. Both these conditions are rare individually but seeing them together in a 25-year-old woman is unheard of. What truly helped her recover was her courage and timely decision to return for evaluation. Persistent postpartum pain should never be ignored.”
She further added, “Had the tumour not been removed at the right time, it could have pressed on the intestines and major blood vessels causing blockages, bleeding, or severe infection. Early action prevented all these complications. Today, she is pain-free and able to care for her baby again.”
Dr Deshmukh, who assisted her during the surgery said, “Mesenteric tumors are extremely rare, and this one measured 18 cm and weighed over half a kilo. Removing it without harming nearby organs was critical. Pathology confirmed a spindle cell tumor with low malignant potential, reassuring us that surgery averted future risks. The added diagnosis of abdominal TB made the case more complex, and we immediately began anti-TB treatment to ensure full recovery.”
The new mother expressed her relief and gratitude, saying, “When the doctors told me there was a large tumour inside me, I was terrified. I had just delivered my baby and thought my problems were over. I never imagined I would have both a tumour and TB. But the doctors supported me like family. They explained everything clearly and gave me confidence. I am grateful they found the problem in time. Today, I can take care of my baby again because of their dedication.”
This rare case underscores a powerful message — postpartum discomfort should never be ignored, especially when symptoms persist or worsen. Timely medical help, expert evaluation, and a strong multidisciplinary approach helped this young woman overcome two life-threatening conditions. She is now recovering well, on anti-TB medication, and will undergo follow-up every 6 months to ensure long-term health and safety.