In Vietnam, doctors remove giant decade-old neck tumor from man

The patient, identified as D.T.H., 42, had lived with a large fatty tumor, or lipoma, in the front of his neck for more than 10 years.

The tumor gradually increased in size, causing significant deformities in his neck and chest.

The condition affected his daily activities and appearance, making him self-conscious about how others viewed him.

The large tumor also compressed his neck, causing frequent pain, discomfort and breathing difficulties.

After years of living with the condition, he sought treatment at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Microsurgery at 108 Military Central Hospital.

Doctors said the surgery was complicated by the tumor's large size and location in the front of the neck, which contains major blood vessels, nerves and other vital anatomical structures.

The tumor had been present for years and was closely attached to surrounding tissues, requiring careful dissection, bleeding control and preservation of healthy structures.

Surgeons also had to plan the reconstruction of the patient's neck after removing the tumor.

Doctors said the tumor's large size and long-term growth required careful planning of the incision, extent of dissection and amount of skin to preserve.

These measures were necessary to remove the tumor while retaining sufficient tissue to cover the surgical area.

The surgical team also had to arrange skin flaps to close the wound, maintain adequate blood supply and achieve an acceptable cosmetic outcome.

During the operation, which lasted several hours, surgeons gradually separated the tumor from surrounding vital structures.

The team also worked to preserve blood vessels and nerves in the neck.

The surgery was completed successfully.

Doctors removed the large fatty tumor and reconstructed the patient's neck.

The skin flaps provided adequate coverage and maintained stable blood circulation.

Following postoperative monitoring and care, the patient recovered sufficiently to be discharged from the hospital.

The surgery removed a tumor that had affected the patient's appearance and daily activities for more than a decade.

The reconstructed neck is expected to help him return to daily life with greater comfort and confidence.

Doctors advised people who notice abnormal lumps in their neck to seek medical examinations to determine the nature of the growth and receive appropriate treatment.

They also warned against self-treatment or delaying medical examinations when a lump increases in size, causes pain or discomfort, or interferes with daily activities.