Man has pumpkin-sized tumour removed from his neck after 25 YEARS

May 24, 2016

Ian Crow, 66, first noticed the lump, which weighed 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg), in 1992
Doctors explained he had a benign tumour of the salivary glands
They believe it is the third largest of its kind in the world

Madlen Davies for MailOnline

Published:
07:16 EST, 24 May 2016

|
Updated:
08:40 EST, 24 May 2016

View
comments

A man who had an enormous tumour on the side of his face for 25 years has finally had it removed.

Ian Crow, 66, said he let the mound grow for so long because it became ‘a part of him’ – but admitted it bothered his wife Lillian, 66.

But after he retired he decided he opted to have an operation to remove the lump – which weighed an incredible 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg).

Doctors explained he had a benign tumour of the salivary glands and believe it is the third largest in the world of its kind.

Ian Crow, 66, let an enormous benign tumour of the salivary glands grow out of his face for nearly 25 years (left). But finally he had an operation to remove it – and says his new scar is healing well (right)

Mr Crow, from Scunthorpe, first noticed the lump growing in 1992, and though it dramatically increased in size, he thought nothing of it.

‘It bothered my wife more,’ he admits.

Medics explained he had a pleomorphic adenoma, a benign tumour of the parotid glands – the largest salivary glands found just in front of the ears.

About 7 out of 10 salivary gland tumors start here and most are benign, according to the American Cancer Society.

Anorexic gym addict whose weight fell to 6st and was so thin…

The curse of being a premature baby: Those born early ‘earn…

The First Dates star with HIV and his desperate race to help…

Stomach cramps and diarrhoea – even on a wheat-free diet?…

Mr Crow, who worked for an aerosols manufacturer, said: ‘It started growing in 25 years ago but I’d got used to it after all those years, it was a part of me that grew with me.

‘I’d come to accept it but in the end I did get fed up of it and wanted it removing.

‘It never hurt, I was able to sleep fine and the only time it really bothered me was in the summer.’

‘When I got to retirement age though I felt it was time for it to go.’

He had a biopsy test and a number of scans before doctors performed the operation.

Mr Ganapathy Dhanasekar, ENT and thyroid consultant at Scunthorpe Hospital, performed the surgery to remove Mr Crow’s growth – which weighed an incredible 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg)

Mr Ganapathy Dhanasekar, ENT and thyroid consultant at Scunthorpe Hospital, who performed the operation, said the tumour’s size presented doctors with ‘quite a challenge’.

But the two-hour procedure was successful, and Mr Crow said he is pleased he has been left with only a small scar.

Mr Dhanasekar said: ‘I’m pleased that he is happy with the result.

‘It was a challenge, but it all went very well and the scar is healing nicely and the most important thing is that the tumour was benign.

‘He doesn’t need any more treatment now and it was great to be able to offer this treatment locally for him.’

Now, Mr Crow said he is glad he made the decision to have his tumour removed.

He said: ‘When I first came out of hospital it didn’t feel any different because the skin was still tight and it had a feeling like the tumour was still there.

‘I have started to feel a difference now and can feel that the tumour has gone.

‘It was my first time ever in hospital and I was very nervous before I went in but on the day I was fine. Once I have made my mind up I won’t go back on it.

‘It’s amazing what the medics can do and I am glad that I made the decision to have the operation.’