Bloke lived ‘like a monster’ for over 10 years with cantaloupe-sized stinky head tumour

A man said he lived “like a monster” for 10 years with a “cantaloupe-sized” tumour growing on his head.

Arlin, from Murrieta, California, started to shield himself from the world when he was a teenager when he started being bullied at school. During that time he began dropping out of class and cutting ties with friends.

The moment the lump started to leak blood and pus, giving off a foul stench that nearly caused one of his nurses to faint, he became overwhelmingly self-conscious. He spent more than a decade in hiding before searching for a doctor to remove his growth.

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However, a combination of no insurance and multiple surgeons who said they couldn’t help drove him deeper into despair.

That was until he met with Dr Ryan Osborne, a head and neck surgeon who features on TLC ‘s Take my Tumour.

During this week’s show, the now 33-year-old Arlin said: “Having this bump on my head has been really hard for me. I feel like a monster.”

Arlin and his mother said they had consulted with 10 to 15 doctors concerning the growth. Unfortunately, each doctor told them they were unable to remove it because of its size and anatomy. As a result, they were referred to other specialists, but the family couldn’t afford any treatment.

Arlin had hidradenitis suppurativa, a long-lasting skin condition that leads to lesions, drainage, odour, pain, abscesses and scarring.

The National Institutes of Health stated the effects of the condition are not just physical. It says due to pain, sensitive areas, drainage, smell and scarring, this condition can also have a negative impact on mental health.

Arlin had a constant leakage of fluid, pus, and blood from his growth, which saw him wear towels around his neck to prevent it from getting on his shirt. He would also wear beanie hats most of the time to conceal the tumour.

His mother explained that she had to place candles around the entire house because the growth had a very strong smell.

Dr Osborne said the condition is poorly understood but often treated by dermatologists. Treatment can include antibiotics, creams and ointments, steroids and removal.

However, he added: “Arlin’s case is sort of out of control and because of that he’s had breaks in the skin and they’ve become infected. It’s a bit of a hygienic mess.”

The surgeon from California said that he could take out Arlin’s mass, but was worried about Arlin’s anemia. Anemia happens when the body lacks healthy red blood cells, so there was a risk of losing too much blood.

This led to Arlin having to receive a blood transfusion before the procedure, with Dr Osborne saying that there was very little leeway for blood loss.

Due to the size of Arlin’s tumor, Dr Osborne had to perform a skin graft using skin from his abdomen. This procedure involves removing healthy skin from one part of the body and attaching it to another.

Despite the operation going smoothly, a nurse in the operating room nearly fainted because of the foul odour emitted by Arlin’s tumour.

Following the surgery, Arlin noticed positive changes in his well-being. He reported increased energy levels, reduced pain, and a decrease in feelings of depression.

He said he was excited to return to school and get a job, adding: “Surgery has been a huge life changer for me. It’s a huge relief.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk