Kuala Lumpur, 5 January 2026 – Prince Court Medical Centre has successfully performed a complex, time-critical surgery to remove a rare breast tumour weighing 10 kilogrammes and measuring 46cm in diameter from a 27-year-old Timor-Leste patient.
The tumour was identified as a phyllodes tumour, a rare breast tumour that accounts for approximately one percent of all breast tumours in adults worldwide. Occurrence in younger patients is uncommon, with fewer than 30 adolescent and paediatric cases reported globally.
Surgery remains the primary treatment for phyllodes tumours, especially when lesions are large or fast-growing.
In this case, pre-operative imaging and staging investigations showed no evidence of metastatic disease, enabling the multidisciplinary team to proceed with definitive surgical treatment.
The tumour had been present for nearly two years but enlarged rapidly in recent months, significantly impacting the patient’s mobility and daily life. Given its size and extent, the surgical team performed a mastectomy to ensure complete tumour removal.
The four-hour procedure was led by a multidisciplinary team including Dr. Melissa Tan, Consultant Breast and Oncoplastic Surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Kok, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and Dr. Muhd Zanapiah Zakaria, Consultant Haematologist, who was involved in optimising the patient’s condition before and during surgery due to the anticipated risk of significant blood loss.
Dr. Melissa said the tumour had reached a critical stage for the patient: “Further delay could have made the surgery significantly more challenging. Phyllodes tumours can grow very quickly, and any breast lump that increases rapidly in size should be assessed promptly. Early surgical intervention improves outcomes and reduces morbidity.”
Dr. Kenneth highlighted the importance of careful operative planning: “Given the size of the tumour, detailed pre-operative planning was essential to ensure safe removal and achieve adequate wound closure. The skin flaps were carefully designed to allow secure closure while preserving healthy surrounding tissue.”
Prince Court Medical Centre Chief Executive Officer Dr. Shuba Srinivasan said the case underlined the importance of multidisciplinary expertise in managing rare and complex conditions.
“Successfully managing a case of this rarity and complexity demonstrates the depth of expertise within our surgical and multidisciplinary teams, as well as the importance of collaboration across specialties to deliver safe, timely, and advanced care,” Dr. Shuba said.
“At Prince Court, we remain committed to delivering patient-centred care while advancing clinical excellence. Cases such as this reinforce our role as a regional referral centre and our dedication to raising medical standards across Malaysia and the region.”
Final pathology results confirmed the tumour to be a malignant phyllodes tumour, with the diagnosis established by Dr. Noraidah Masir, Consultant Histo & Cytopathologist, whose histopathological assessment was critical in determining the nature and aggressiveness of the disease.
The patient described the successful surgery as bringing renewed hope and strengthening her determination to regain her health. She added: “I feel relieved because the heavy burden I had been carrying is finally gone. My advice to all women is that if you notice even a small lump, you should see a doctor and go to the hospital for a proper check as soon as possible.”
Dr. Muhammad Azrif, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, will also be involved in the patient’s ongoing care to assess the need for any further adjuvant treatment. The patient is recovering well and will continue to be closely monitored as part of her post-operative and oncological follow-up care.
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