A 65-year-old man who tried to get rid of a tumour the size of his head on his neck using herbal ointments has finally agreed to surgery after 16 years.

The man from Kirov, a city in western Russia, underwent surgery at the Kirov Regional Clinical Hospital after he finally agreed to seek help, according to a 22nd September statement by the Regional Ministry of Health.

He had used herbs and ointments at home in the hope the growth would disappear on its own.

Instead, the mass kept getting bigger until it caused balance problems and made it difficult for him to raise his head.
Doctors said it was a benign lipoma, a fatty tumour that grows slowly and without pain.

Picture shows the tumour, undated. A 65-year-old man had his tumour removed at the Kirov Regional Clinical Hospital, Russia. Note: Photo from the minitry of health. (Ministry of Health of the Kirov Region/Newsflash/NX)

Lead surgeon Igor Popyrin said: "Usually, such a tumour grows slowly and painfully, so many patients postpone a visit to a specialist, hoping that the formation will disappear on its own."

He warned that if the tumour is left unattended for a long time, it can turn malignant or compress surrounding tissues and early treatment is often crucial.

He added: "If the lipoma grows, then no ointments or folk remedies will help. The only effective treatment is surgical removal."

Picture shows dr.Igor Popyrin, undated. A 65-year-old man had his tumour removed at the Kirov Regional Clinical Hospital, Russia. Note: Photo from the minitry of health. (Ministry of Health of the Kirov Region/Newsflash/NX)

Surgeons said they faced the risk of cutting into vital vessels and nerves because the tumour was so large.

The operation was successful and doctors compared the size of the mass to a three-litre jar.

It was the largest lipoma ever removed in the history of the department, officials confirmed.

(Mike Leidig / newsX)