Woman's Abdominal Swelling Misdiagnosed as IBS Reveals Near-Cancerous Ovarian Cyst

A 31-year-old British woman's life was significantly impacted by a misdiagnosis that left her with severe abdominal swelling, making her appear nine months pregnant. Katie Wells initially sought medical help in October 2025 for pain under her breast, which was treated as a chest infection. However, her abdomen rapidly enlarged over two weeks, becoming hard to the touch. While inflammatory markers were elevated, doctors were uncertain of the cause, eventually diagnosing her with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and prescribing medication for excess stomach acid.

"I looked at my body and thought: 'I look like I'm about nine months pregnant, I can't keep hearing that it's IBS,'" Wells recounted. A colleague's examination led to an ultrasound, revealing a massive ovarian cyst. The cyst, measuring 26 centimeters, along with her appendix, left ovary, and fallopian tube, were removed during a three-hour surgery in November. The growth was deemed borderline and precancerous due to elevated blood levels.

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I looked at my body and thought: 'I look like I'm about nine months pregnant, I can't keep hearing that it's IBS.'

During the operation, surgeons also removed eight liters of ascites, or accumulated fluid. Wells lost 14 kilograms post-surgery. The tumor's size had even affected her asthma, causing breathing difficulties. After five days in the hospital and two months of recovery at home, she expressed immense relief and a return of confidence. Wells is now sharing her experience online, highlighting the importance of awareness and urging others with sharp pain under the breast to get checked. She noted that the cyst was borderline, meaning it wasn't malignant but still carried risks, and she will require monitoring and potentially a hysterectomy in the future, a prospect that frightens her as she is only 31 and has no children.

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It's strange now that the cyst is out, but it's a huge relief and has given me my confidence back.