65-year-old Russian man has giant head-sized lipoma removed from neck after 16 years of home remedies

A 65-year-old man in Kirov, Russia, had a lipoma the size of a human head surgically removed from the back of his neck after 16 years of self-treatment and avoiding hospital care. The mass weighed down on the base of his neck and limited his movement, according to doctors at the Kirov Regional Clinical Hospital. The patient told clinicians that he had repeatedly tried simple ointments and other home remedies with no relief. Hospital officials said they were amazed by the patient’s story and the successful outcome of the operation. Igor Popyrin, head of the hospital’s surgical department, told Izvestia that the patient’s long delay in seeking professional care is not uncommon when growths are asymptomatic or perceived as manageable with over-the-counter treatments.

Lipomas are benign fatty lumps that typically grow between the skin and a layer of muscle. They usually remain doughy and measure about an inch to two inches in diameter, though some can continue to grow and even twist in rare cases, according to the Mayo Clinic. If a lipoma grows, topical ointments or folk remedies are unlikely to help; surgical removal is the only proven treatment, Popyrin said.

The tumor’s placement near clusters of major blood vessels and nerves, notably the cervical plexus that connects to the spinal cord, made the operation particularly delicate. Doctors said the team had to plan with extreme care, attempting to map a line that would indicate where the neck should be without the tumor in place. During the procedure, the patient could not lie on his back safely, so he was positioned on his side for the operation, allowing surgeons to access the mass with as much control and precision as possible. The surgery required meticulous dissection to avoid damaging surrounding nerves and vessels while removing the lipoma intact.

While lipomas are common, this case stands out for its size and location and for the length of time the patient delayed treatment. The procedure underscores the skill and coordination required when removing large masses that sit near critical structures. Health professionals note that timely evaluation is important for conditions that can be benign but still cause significant complications if left untreated.

The report about this case was published by The New York Post, which highlighted the patient’s long journey from home remedies to a surgical cure. Local outlets, including Izvestia, quoted hospital officials as saying that the patient’s experience illustrates a broader public health message: when a growth enlarges or changes, medical assessment is essential rather than reliance on unproven remedies.

In health contexts, experts say lipomas are typically benign and slow-growing; however, their growth and location can yield unusual challenges for treatment. Medical teams urge individuals with new, enlarging lumps or masses to seek prompt clinical evaluation to determine the nature of the growth and the appropriate intervention. The case from Kirov serves as a reminder that while not all tumors are dangerous, the safest and most effective option for sizeable lipomas remains surgical removal when indicated.