Doctors Remove Watermelon-Sized Ovarian Tumor in Mom Who Was Told She Just Got Fat

Lifestyle blogger and mom Chante Burkett, 33, developed a watermelon-sized ovarian tumor that doctors initially brushed off as weight gain. However, after six months of feeling that something wasn't right, she saw a specialist who confirmed that the worrying growth in her stomach was not fat but a tumor that should be removed as soon as possible.

Burkett recounted that the ovarian tumor was at least 13-lb. heavy and was left undiagnosed and untreated for six months. She first experienced the hardness around her belly in December 2020, along with vomiting episodes and severe pelvic pain.

The doctors initially gave her medication for gas and bloating, believing that it was all part of her weight gain and age. However, as weeks went by, Burkett noticed that she started to look pregnant despite exercising and dieting to keep her weight down. Her stomach pains also didn't subside.

The Third Opinion Confirms Tumor

After getting a third opinion in July, Burkett was asked to go to an OBGYN who did scans on her stomach and referred her to a specialist who found the mass. The specialist told her that she has to go through emergency surgery.

The blogger said that she was scared for her health since her mother died of cancer, and she was also unsure if she would come out of the surgery alive. Fortunately, the doctors removed the ovarian tumor, which was later confirmed as mucinous cystadenoma, a non-cancerous cystic tumor.

According to Dr. Jeannine Villella of the Lenox Hill Hospital, a cyst in the ovaries can be benign or malignant growth. For some cases, the cyst can go away without any health implications, while other types of cyst might need to be monitored or surgically removed.

The Cleveland Clinic noted that ovarian cyst occurs in eight to 18 percent of women between the premenopausal and postmenopausal ages. Fortunately, a majority of these cases do not develop into ovarian cancer as the woman ages.

A woman who frequently experiences bloating, unusual bowel activity, changes in the urine, and some pressure in the belly should get herself checked, especially if these symptoms last for more than two weeks. If the woman experiences vomiting and nausea, along with a sharp pain on one side of their abdomen, she should inform her doctor as a surgical intervention might be needed.

'Advocate for Yourself'

The blogger said that she was shown the photo of the cyst and could not believe the size of what grew inside her stomach. The doctors said that the ovarian tumor did not mess with her organs, but it did push her kidneys and liver. She was informed that her growth was at a rare size and will likely keep growing if she did not get a third opinion.

Burkett's experience has emboldened her to tell her social media followers why they need to advocate for themselves when it comes to healthcare. She said that people should ask for proper testing and documentation if they are seeing medical professionals. She encouraged her followers to speak up if they feel that the doctors aren't listening.