Doctors have removed what is believed to be the world’s largest tumour from a man’s leg – after it grew to more than 17 stone.

Yang Jianbin, 37, from Shanxi Province, China was born with a dark birthmark on the right side of his lower back – and noticed it getting larger when he was nine.

By the time he was 12, it had increased to the size of a fist and he had surgery to remove it.

But despite medical intervention, it started to grow again and a recent hospital check in Beijing revealed that the tumour had increased to an enormous 110kg – more than 17 stone.

Chief surgeon Chen Minliang said Yang suffered from Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that affects the normal growth and development of cell tissue.

Yang had said previously that the huge tumour was so big he could only lie down or sit on bed all day.

He was given two hospital beds to accommodate the 1.2m tumour, which made up two-thirds of his total body weight.

Removal surgery involved nine doctors and lasted 16 hours. During the procedure, the patient received 5,000ml of blood, which is more than the entire amount an adult’s body holds.

But he is said to be recovering well and is expected to be discharged from hospital in Beijing later this month.