A 65-year-old woman from a rural area presented to the surgical service with a very large abdominal lump that the patient had first noticed 8 years previously. The lump had steadily increased in size over time, and the patient had dysuria, weakness and dyspnoea on exertion. On examination she was grossly anaemic with a large retroperitoneal lump that occupied the whole right side of abdomen; the lump was soft to firm in consistency and non-tender. She had no lymphoedema or other palpable lymph nodes. Ultrasound revealed a large retroperitoneal tumour with fatty elements, arising from the right kidney. There was no involvement of the intestines. Findings of the computed tomography scan were typical for renal angiomyolipoma. The patient underwent surgery and the tumour was excised. Four units of blood were transfused preoperatively and in addition two units were given postoperatively. The patient was given thromboprophylaxis perioperatively and in the postoperative period because she was bedridden and could not ambulate. She made an uneventful recovery.