In a rare and extraordinary surgical feat, a multidisciplinary team at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, successfully removed a massive 3-kilogram tumor from a 37-year-old man’s head and neck region—in a single, intact piece. The tumor, one of the largest of its kind ever reported in India, was the result of advanced oral cancer and had grown to nearly the size of a human head.

The patient arrived at Max Hospital with a bleeding, foul-smelling tumor that had severely disfigured his face and caused difficulties in speaking, breathing, and eating. Doctors immediately initiated emergency chemotherapy to reduce inflammation and stabilize the patient before surgery.

“We were facing a tumor measuring 18×12×8 cm. The challenge wasn’t just its size, but removing it in one piece while preserving vital structures,” said Dr. Saurabh Gupta, Consultant Surgical Oncologist at Max Hospital.

The 11-hour-long surgery involved:

• Resection of part of the jaw, cheekbone, and lymph nodes affected by the tumor.
• Complete one-piece removal of the tumor to prevent cancer cell spread.
• Advanced facial reconstruction using grafts from the chest and thigh, restoring both form and function.

Despite the tumor’s massive size, the team avoided fragmentation, thereby minimizing the risk of recurrence.

Following the surgery:

• The patient regained his ability to eat, speak, and move his head.
• He was discharged in 11 days with plans for further radiation and chemotherapy.
• The success has been hailed as a benchmark case in Indian head and neck oncology.

This case sets a precedent in Indian surgical oncology, showcasing:

• The importance of multi-specialty collaboration.
• The potential of organ-preserving and function-restoring cancer surgery.
• India’s growing leadership in complex, high-risk cancer procedures.

The successful removal of one of India’s largest oral tumors in a single piece is more than a medical milestone—it’s a story of courage, coordination, and cutting-edge care at the heart of New Delhi.