Renji Hospital Removes a 6.1-Kilogram Giant Breast Phyllodes Tumor in Shanghai
Quick Answer / What Happened
Liberation Daily reported that a surgical team at Renji Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, removed a rare giant phyllodes tumor of the breast weighing 6.1 kilograms from a young woman. According to the report, the tumor measured approximately 30 by 25 centimeters and had grown rapidly over three to four months.
The hospital's breast surgery team worked with the anesthesiology department to plan the operation, manage the risk of major bleeding and remove the tumor. The report stated that the team then repaired the resulting chest-wall wound and that the patient later recovered and was discharged.
A Medical Problem That Had Taken Over Daily Life
According to Liberation Daily, the patient first noticed an abnormal breast lump around two years earlier but delayed seeking medical care because of fear, embarrassment and the hope that the problem might resolve.
The report said the lesion then enlarged rapidly over a period of three to four months. By the time she reached Renji Hospital, the mass weighed 6.1 kilograms and had become a heavy physical burden.
The tumor compressed the chest wall and pulled on surrounding tissue. The patient experienced persistent heaviness and pain, and ordinary activities such as walking and lying down had become difficult.
This part of the reported case matters because it shows how a medical problem can gradually become a daily-life crisis. The barrier to seeking care was not only clinical. Fear and hesitation also delayed the moment when the patient entered an appropriate specialist pathway.
What The Hospital Reported About The Diagnosis
The Renji Hospital team reviewed the patient's history together with imaging and biopsy findings. Liberation Daily reported that the patient was diagnosed with a rare giant phyllodes tumor of the breast.
The report described several features that made the surgery particularly difficult:
- the tumor had an extensive blood supply, increasing the risk of major bleeding;
- it was closely adherent to muscle and fascia of the chest wall;
- the team needed to avoid tumor rupture, residual tumor and implantation during removal;
- the size and pressure of the mass increased the complexity of anesthesia and perioperative management;
- removing the tumor would leave a large wound requiring careful reconstruction.
These points are presented as reported by Liberation Daily and the Renji team. CareNavigator is not independently interpreting the diagnosis or surgical strategy.
How The Team Prepared For A High-Risk Operation
Liberation Daily reported that Renji Hospital's breast surgery department held a dedicated discussion for the complex case. The team repeatedly reviewed the operative details and developed an individualized surgical and perioperative management plan.
During the operation, the surgical team carefully separated adherent tissue and controlled the many blood vessels supplying the tumor. The anesthesiology team managed the patient throughout the procedure.
According to the report, the tumor was removed intact. The team then repaired the chest-wall defect and closed the wound in layers, with the aim of addressing the disease while also considering wound recovery and the patient's physical appearance.
The report stated that anesthesia remained stable, the patient's vital signs were stable throughout the operation, and she later recovered sufficiently to leave hospital.
Why This Case Is Relevant To China Advanced Treatment Updates
This is not a report about a newly approved drug or a new medical device. Its significance lies in the ability of a major Chinese hospital team to organize a complex surgical pathway around an unusually large tumor.
The case required more than the act of removing a mass. It involved diagnosis, preoperative assessment, bleeding-risk planning, anesthetic management, complete surgical removal and repair of a large chest-wall wound.
For international patients comparing treatment options in China, reports like this offer a concrete view of the clinical depth available in selected Chinese hospitals. In difficult surgical cases, the relevant question is often not simply whether an operation is available. It is whether a hospital can bring together the right disease-specific surgeons, anesthesia support, perioperative planning and reconstruction capability around one patient.
What International Patients Should Understand
A complex surgical case should usually be reviewed before a family commits to travel. The receiving team may need pathology, recent imaging, biopsy findings, previous treatment records, current symptoms and information about the patient's overall condition.
The most appropriate hospital may depend on the diagnosis and the combination of specialties required. A well-known hospital name alone does not show whether the right team and supporting departments are available for one particular case.
CareNavigator can help international patients and families clarify the treatment question, compare relevant China-based hospitals and specialists, coordinate review of the available records, and support the broader journey if China becomes a serious option. Clinical recommendations and treatment decisions remain with the responsible medical teams.
What This Does Not Mean
This report describes one unusually complex case at one hospital. It should not be read as an expected surgical pathway or recovery outcome for other patients.
It also does not mean that every breast lump is a phyllodes tumor or that every large tumor can be managed in the same way. Diagnosis, operability, surgical risk and recovery require individual assessment by qualified clinicians.
Tell us your situation. If your family is looking for a China-based review of a complex surgical or oncology case, CareNavigator can help identify relevant hospitals and specialist teams, coordinate case review, and help you understand the practical next steps.
Related CareNavigator Resources
- China Advanced Treatment Updates
- Prepare for Complex Surgery or Advanced Oncology Abroad
- Why China
- How CareNavigator Helps
- Pathways Decision Library
- China Treatment Navigation Guide
Source Notes
Primary source: Liberation Daily report published via Shangguan News on August 12, 2026.
Source-Led Update Note
This source-led update summarizes reporting by Liberation Daily. It is not a translation of the full original article or an independent clinical assessment by CareNavigator. The reported experience of one patient should not be treated as an expected outcome for others.