Iraqi boy flies home after tumour removal

An Iraqi boy was preparing to fly home today after doctors in the United States removed almost all of a football-sized tumour from his neck.

Eight-year-old Ali Mousa is expected to leave a Seattle hospital and return to his home in Kut, on the River Tigris in south-east Iraq, over the weekend.

About 85% of the large tumour was removed by seven surgeons in a 15 hour operation.

A bit was left because the doctors did not want to risk nerve damage.

The condition, known as advanced cystic hygroma, is believed to be caused by a failure of the lymph system to properly connect with blood vessels in the neck.

Ali has been recovering well, riding a tricycle and playing video games since the procedure.