A tumor the size of a basketball has been successfully removed from a woman's uterus in Taipei on Saturday.  

Doctors discovered a tumor 20 cm in diameter inside the patient's womb three years ago, but the 43-year-old woman, who has only been identified as Hu, decided against surgery for its removal. She reasoned that she didn't feel any pain or discomfort then.

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But recently, Hu said that her stomach has suddenly became larger. Doctors said that the tumor now weighs six kilograms and is bigger than a basketball. This is despite the fact that Hu has kept from eating intestines, pan-fried and deep friend foods as well as estrogen-filled foods. She also took traditional Chinese medicine. 

The tumor, identified as a uterine fibroid (or myoma), was surgically removed in Taipei City Hospital on Saturday. Uterine fibroids are generally benign and does not increase the risk of uterine cancer. 

"Twenty percent of women aged 18 to 40 have been diagnosed with fibromyomas and 40 to 50 percent of women more than 40 years old develop benigh uterine tumors," said Huang Yen-hua, a gynecologist at the Taipei City Hospital. 

The reason of these tumors' growth are still unclear, but experts think that different hormones are the cause. Those smaller than 5 cm are usually left untreated and monitored for four to six months. 

"We usually suggest treatment based on the size of the tumor, its location, and the physical condition of the patient. If a tumor reaches the size of an adult's fist, we suggest its removal," Huang said. 

TagsTumor, Taipei City Hospital, basketball sized tumor, uterine fibroid, myoma