A California man has revealed how he lived ‘like a monster’ for more than a decade after a cantaloupe-sized tumor grew out of the back of his head.
Arlin, from Murrieta, California, retreated from the world as a teenager, dropping out of class and cutting ties with friends when he started being bullied in high school.
The now 33-year-old became extremely self conscious when the lump began to leak blood and pus and emit a smell so foul one of his nurses nearly fainted.
While he had spent more than a decade hiding and searching for a doctor to remove the growth, his lack of insurance and multiple surgeons who said they couldn’t help him only led him to become more depressed.
Arlin, 33, from California, had a growth on the back of his head for more than a decade
He said he had seen 15 doctors but none were able to remove the mass
Dr Osborne said he noticed a change in Arlin’s demeanor since the growth was removed – he was making more eye contact, was smiling more and was making healthier choices
But Arlin was given a second chance at a normal life when he met with Dr Ryan Osborne, a head and neck surgeon.
Arlin said on this week’s episode of TLC’s Take My Tumor: ‘Having this bump on my head has been really hard for me. I feel like a monster.’
Arlin and his mother said they had visited 10 to 15 doctors about the growth, but each said they couldn’t remove it because of its size and anatomy and referred him to other specialists, but the family couldn’t afford any treatment.
His mother, Jaqueline, said: ‘It’s not like we wanted it to get this big but we couldn’t get the help we needed and so it grew.
‘It’s hard to see anybody you love in pain or going through what they are going through. He might die. What’s at stake right now is his life.’
Arlin was suffering from a condition called hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes lesions, drainage, odor, pain, abscesses and scarring.
The National Institutes of Health said the side effects of the condition go beyond the physical: ‘Because of the associated pain, sensitive locations, drainage, odor, and scarring, this condition may have a negative psychosocial impact.’
Arlin was suffering from a condition called hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes lesions, drainage, odor, pain, abscesses and scarring
Dr Ryan Osborne performed surgery to remove the mass from Arlin’s neck, which he said could have caused permanent spinal damage because of its position
Arlin’s growth would constantly leak fluid, pus and blood, forcing him to wear towels around his neck so it wouldn’t get on his shirt. He also wore beanie hats nearly all the time to hide the tumor.
And his mother said she would have to place candles all around the house because the growth had such a strong smell.
The exact cause of hidradenitis suppurativa is not known, but could be due to genetics, the environment a person is in or lifestyle habits.
The lesions develop because of inflammation and infection of sweat glands, and Arlin’s condition is further complicated by his anhidrosis, a rare condition that prevents sweat glands from producing sweat.
Approximately one to four percent of Americans have hidradenitis suppurativa, also called acne inversus, but experts say that number is likely underestimated.
Dr Osborne said the condition is poorly understood but often treated by dermatologists. Treatment can include antibiotics, creams and ointments, steroids and removal.
However, Dr Osborne said: ‘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.’
Arlin’s first skin graft was not successful and he was left with gaping wounds
While the California-based surgeon said he could remove Arlin’s mass, he was concerned about Arlin’s anemia – a disorder that occurs when the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells – which meant he could have lost a dangerous amount of blood.
Because of this, Arlin had to undergo a blood transfusion prior to the procedure and Dr Osborne said there was little ‘wiggle room’ for blood loss.
On the morning of surgery, Arlin said: ‘It’s a huge relief hearing him say that he can remove it. I’m feeling more confident about things going well.
‘I can’t wait to finally get this removed. To finally have it removed today is a big relief for me.’
His brother added: ‘He lost a lot of himself and a lot of years because of this. To say that this is a life changing surgery – it’s an understatement.’
Because Arlin’s tumor was so large, Dr Osborne had to take skin from his abdomen to create a skin graft, which involves removing healthy skin from one part of the body and attaching it to another.
While there were no complications during the operation, one nurse in the operating room grew so faint she almost lost consciousness due to the putrid smell given off by Arlin’s tumor.
The surgery was a success in the end and a second skin graft looked to be working. With the mass gone, Arlin said he had more energy, less pain and less 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.’
Take My Tumor airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on TLC.