Tennis ball-sized tumour found after Sheffield man's first dentist trip in 27 years

Darren Wilkinson, 50, had avoided the dentist for almost three decades before being forced to go by his wife Mel, 53, after complaining of mouth sores.

After an abnormality was spotted he was referred to hospital. Doctors carried out more tests and diagnosed a rare tumour which affects just one in five million people of Darren’s age and ethnicity.

Although the growth is benign it has likely been developing for up to 15 years, Doctors said. Along with the bottom half of Darren's jaw, it must be removed as soon as possible.

The tumour has left his jawbone "wafer thin" and Mel said it could break from something as innocuous as biting into a slice of toast.

Darren, who works as a carer, said he is "lucky" the growth was spotted when it was – and is using his close call to warn others about the perils of avoiding regular checkups.

He said: "The dentist did an x-ray and said she'd never seen anything like it before.

"If it hadn’t been for Mel making me go to the dentist I would never have discovered it."

Darren is currently unable to eat solid food and will have to be fed through a tube for weeks after the surgery. He will also need an incision in his windpipe to help him breathe.

A large metal frame will be placed over his face to help him heal following the surgery in Sheffield on March 20.

Darren added: "It will take more than a year for the doctors to rebuild my face."

Darren and Mel said they want to raise awareness about his tumour.

Mel, who works as a teacher, said: “We know how devastated, lonely and isolated we felt when we heard what Darren had that we wanted to let people know there are people out there to talk to who have been through it.”