Pune: In a groundbreaking medical achievement, Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune, successfully removed what is believed to be the world’s largest ectopic thyroid tumor — measuring 17 x 12 x 11 cm and weighing 800 grams — from the chest of a 62-year-old woman.
The rare ectopic thyroid tumor was excised using advanced robotic-assisted surgery, marking a milestone in minimally invasive surgical care.
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Ectopic thyroid tumors are extremely uncommon, occurring in only 1 in 100,000 to 300,000 people. In this case, the patient’s thyroid gland in the neck was completely normal, with the tumor’s location inside the chest cavity making it particularly high-risk.
Positioned dangerously close to the heart, superior vena cava, aortic arch, and pulmonary arteries, the tumor was previously considered inoperable by multiple hospitals.
Precision Robotic Surgery in a High-Stakes Case of Ectopic Thyroid Tumor
The surgery was led by Dr Vinod Gore, Surgical Oncologist, along with a multidisciplinary team at the hospital including robotic and laparoscopic surgeons, cardiothoracic specialists, and anesthesiologists.
Using robotic instruments inserted through small incisions between the ribs, the team achieved precise control in the narrow, crowded chest cavity.
The tumor was carefully separated from surrounding tissues and vital structures before final removal through a small mini-sternotomy.
Safe Outcome with Minimal Invasiveness
Despite the tumor’s size and complexity, the procedure resulted in minimal blood loss, no need for a blood transfusion, and a smooth recovery without ventilator support.
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The surgery also highlighted the importance of specialized airway management, as the tumor had compressed the patient’s trachea, requiring an awake fiber-optic intubation for safety.
“This case shows how advanced robotic technology, when combined with expert surgical planning, can successfully treat even the rarest and most challenging conditions,” said Dr Gore.
The patient is now recovering well, and the case stands as a testament to the life-saving potential of robotic-assisted surgery in treating rare, complex tumors.
