From the initial scan, doctors estimated the tumor weighed about 12 pounds. But during the operation, they were shocked to see it was more than double that size and had wrapped around Daly's kidney. It took six hours to remove the 30-pound tumor along with his left kidney. Daly's story was first reported by the New York Daily News.
One of Daly's surgeons, Dr. Julio Teixeira, said this was the biggest tumor he's removed in his 30 years of practice and called the procedure a "once in a career event."
Describing the mass's weight, he said "It was one thing to see the picture. It's another to have this massive, giant tumor in your hands."
Daly recently had his three-month follow up MRI, which showed no signs of new growths.
"Everything looked great. I feel great. I'm now at 187 pounds which was my college weight and I have a flat belly, and being 63, that's pretty incredible," he said.
Teixeira said he is optimistic about Daly's prognosis, though he will continue to be monitored for potential new tumors.
He also said this should be a lesson to others to be their own health advocate and advises talking to your doctor if you think something is off.
"Pay attention to signals in your body," he said. "If your instincts tell you that something is wrong, you're probably right."