Fetus in Fetus Surgery: When we are faced with the question of whether men can become pregnant, we first wonder if this really happens. Let us explain it in detail.
Rare twin anomaly: Throughout medical history, there have been numerous cases that have baffled even doctors. One such case is that of Sanju Bhagat of Nagpur, known as the "Pregnant Man." In fact, Sanju Bhagat suffered from a rare medical condition called Fetus in Fetu (FIF), which caused his abdomen to become as large as that of a pregnant woman.
What is Fetus in Fetu (FIF)?
Fetus in Fetu is an extremely rare congenital condition. It occurs when one of the twin fetuses stops developing during pregnancy and that incomplete fetus becomes trapped inside the body of the other fetus. The developing fetus continues to nurture the "included fetus" within its own body. In medical terms, this is called fetus entrapment.
This isn't a true pregnancy. Rather, it's a medical anomaly in which the remains of the fetus develop inside the body like a tumor. So far, fewer than 100 cases have been reported worldwide.
Why are men called "pregnant"?
This condition is more common in men. When a man carries this fetus, his abdomen becomes abnormally enlarged. From the outside, the abdomen resembles that of a pregnant woman. This is why people jokingly call him a "pregnant man." However, scientifically, this is not a true pregnancy.
How do you find out?
Fetus in Fetu is often diagnosed late because the initial symptoms seem benign. Patients may ignore it for a long time, mistaking it for obesity, digestive problems, or some other illness.
Main symptoms
- Abnormal abdominal enlargement
- Difficulty breathing (the bulge puts pressure on the diaphragm)
- Pain and heaviness in the stomach
- Indigestion or constipation problems
Diagnosis
- Initially it looks like a tumor or cancer.
- X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs reveal internal structures such as bones, organs, or hair.
- After surgery, it becomes clear that there is embryonic tissue present inside the body.
Sanju Bhagat's case
Sanju Bhagat lived with a large belly for nearly 30 years. People would tease him by calling him "pregnant man." In 1999, when his stomach grew so large that breathing became difficult, doctors performed an operation. Initially, doctors thought it was a cancerous tumor. But during the operation, bones, hair, organs, and even incomplete genitals were found inside. Even the doctors were stunned by this. This is considered one of the world's rarest and most shocking medical cases.
Is this a real pregnancy?
No. According to medical science, FIF cannot be considered a pregnancy. In this, the remains of the fetus remain stuck in the body of the living fetus. Unlike a real pregnancy, the fetus does not develop. Therefore, it is called an anomaly and not a pregnancy. “Fetus in Fetu” is a very rare medical condition in which one fetus remains stuck inside the body of another fetus. When this condition occurs in men, their stomach grows abnormally and people start calling them “pregnant man”. But from a scientific point of view, this is not a pregnancy, but a rare problem.
