A 65-year-old man from Kirov, Russia lived for more than 16 years with a massive tumor growing from the back of his neck. The growth had become almost as large as his head and weighed heavily on his shoulders, yet he avoided medical help for years.
Instead, he relied on ointments and home remedies, convinced that the lump might eventually disappear on its own. Unfortunately, it only grew larger over time, making everyday life increasingly uncomfortable and difficult.
When he finally went to the hospital, doctors at the Kirov Regional Clinical Hospital were stunned by the sheer size of the tumor. Surgeons explained that the man had what’s known as a lipoma, a benign fatty lump that usually grows slowly between the skin and muscle.
Most lipomas are small, soft to the touch, and stop growing after reaching a couple of inches in size. In rare cases, however, they can keep expanding for years. This man’s tumor had grown far beyond normal limits, becoming a dangerous burden because of its location near vital nerves and blood vessels in the neck.
Dr. Igor Popyrin, head of the surgical department, explained that once a lipoma begins to grow, no cream or folk treatment can make it shrink. The only way to remove it is through surgery.
In this case, the operation was especially complicated. The tumor was pressing against the cervical plexus, a delicate cluster of nerves that connect to the spinal cord and control movement and sensation in the neck, shoulders, and arms. Any mistake could have caused lasting nerve damage or other serious complications.
The surgical team had to work with extreme precision. Before beginning, they tried to visualize where the man’s neck would be without the tumor in order to guide their cuts. He couldn’t lie on his back for the procedure because the mass blocked the way, so doctors had him positioned on his side throughout the operation. Despite the difficulties, the surgery was successful, and the tumor was removed safely.
The case highlights both the risks of delaying medical care and the dangers of relying on home treatments for serious health conditions. What began as a small, harmless lump turned into a massive growth over more than a decade.
Doctors stressed that while lipomas are usually noncancerous, they should still be checked by professionals when they begin to grow, since surgery is the only way to prevent them from becoming larger or more complicated to remove.
