Woman with large cyst told to lose weight

KARLSKRONA, Sweden, May 16 (UPI) -- A Swedish doctor who overlooked a nearly 18-pound cyst on one of his female patients recommended she lose weight instead, the woman alleged.

The unidentified woman said after visiting a health clinic to complain about a swollen abdomen, she was allegedly told by a doctor to attempt to lose weight to deal with the problem, the Swedish news agency TT reported Friday.

The woman said she returned to the clinic several other times after the problem persisted and was denied when she asked for an ultrasound.

A private doctor eventually conducted an ultrasound and discovered a cyst inside her abdomen which weighed nearly 18 pounds.

The news agency said the Medical Responsibility Board has since been informed about the woman's initial doctor, who was a temporary employee at the clinic, and his inaccurate diagnosis.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International