A muskmelon-sized tumour was removed from the brain of a 28-year old Yemeni patient at a private hospital here, relieving him of persisting headache for four years.

The tumour had grown for more than four years and was sized about 7.8x8.1x8.1 cm along the midline, occupying almost 60% of the brain of Mohammed Ahmed, doctors at Fortis Hospital said on Thursday. A team of doctors led by neurosurgery director Dr D V Rajakumar removed the tumour by performing a surgical opening through the skull, a release said.

After admission in the hospital recently, the patient’s situation further deteriorated as he had episodes of nausea regularly. “We removed the humongous tumor to save his life,” Dr Rajakumar said.

Noting he was “scared” after knowing about the huge tumour in his brain, Ahmed said many doctors he visited said his condition was critical. “All my family members and friends are elated that we chose to come to India for treatment,” he added.