Filipino Healthcare Worker Recovers After Removal of Brain Tumor, Nearly the Size of a Tennis Ball, at Aster Hospital Mankhool
A 41-year-old Filipino woman, Ms. Jovelyn Sison Omes, a healthcare assistant at an aesthetic clinic in Dubai, underwent life-saving brain surgery at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, ranked No. 4 on Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals in the UAE list for 2025. Ms. Omes had been experiencing severe headaches, nausea, double vision, and a full-body seizure – alarming symptoms that prompted immediate medical evaluation.
Upon her admission on November 27, 2024, scans revealed a large, non-cancerous brain tumor on the right side of her brain, known as a falcine meningioma. The tumor had grown across the center of her brain to the opposite side, causing swelling and pressure on critical brain areas, leading to a condition called cerebral edema and mass effect. Dr. Prakash Nair, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, compared the tumor's size to that of a tennis ball.
Despite a medical history of asthma and high cholesterol, Ms. Omes was not on any regular medications. Her symptoms included persistent headaches (VAS 8/10), a seizure with tongue bite, temporary confusion, and a brief episode of double vision. She did not report limb weakness or trauma.
On November 28, 2024, Dr. Prakash Nair and his team performed a complex brain surgery on Ms. Jovelyn Sison Omes at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, to remove the tumor located near a critical brain region responsible for limb movement. The patient was placed under general anesthesia, and the surgical team accessed the tumor through four small openings in the skull.
Using advanced tools including a state-of-the-art microscope and ultrasonic aspirator (CUSA), the team performed a Simpson Grade 1 resection, meaning the tumor and its roots were entirely removed — significantly lowering the risk of recurrence. Bleeding was controlled without the need for transfusion, and the skull was reconstructed with precision.
Following surgery, Ms. Omes was transferred to the ICU and weaned off ventilator support within 24 hours. A follow-up scan confirmed complete tumor removal with no complications. She was mobilized the next day, resumed eating normally within hours, and responded well to physiotherapy. Discharged on December 5, 2024, she made a full recovery with no neurological issues.
'This case highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and advanced neurosurgical care. The tumor was located in a challenging area near vital brain structures, but we were able to remove it completely without causing any damage,' said Dr. Prakash Nair, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, who led the surgery. He added, 'In cases of Simpson Grade 1 resection, the recurrence rate after 10 years is less than 9%2, which is extremely promising for the patient's long-term prognosis.'
Falcine meningiomas make up about 9% of all intracranial meningiomas1 and are more common in women, with a two- to three-fold higher occurrence than in men3. These tumors are typically diagnosed more often with increasing age. In this case, the tumor's fibroblastic subtype added to the complexity of the condition.
Ms. Jovelyn Sison Omes expressed her deep gratitude to Dr. Nair and the medical team, saying, 'I'm incredibly thankful to Dr. Nair and the entire team for saving my life. I had been suffering from debilitating symptoms, but today, I'm pain-free, seizure-free, and back to work. As a healthcare worker, I urge everyone not to ignore warning signs. Early intervention truly saved my life, and I hope my story encourages others to seek help when something doesn't feel right.
With follow-up imaging confirming a successful outcome and no neurological deficits, Ms. Omes is expected to lead a full and healthy life. Her case stands as a testament to the power of timely diagnosis, surgical expertise, and compassionate care — all hallmarks of Aster Hospital Mankhool's commitment to clinical excellence.
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18 June 2025 17:44 REDDY (ABU DHABI)A 41-year-old Filipina healthcare assistant's life was saved after a complex brain surgery at a Dubai hospital to remove a tumour nearly the size of a tennis Sison Omes, who works at an aesthetic clinic, had been experiencing severe headaches, nausea, double vision, and a full-body seizure — alarming symptoms that prompted urgent medical attention. Imaging revealed a large, non-cancerous growth known as a falcine meningioma, spanning from one side of her brain to the other and pressing on critical areas responsible for motor was admitted to Aster Hospital, Mankhool on November 27, 2024. The following day, Dr Prakash Nair, Consultant Neurosurgeon at the hospital, led a high-risk procedure to remove the deeply embedded tumour.'The tumour was large and located in a sensitive area near brain regions essential for limb movement,' said Dr Nair. 'Thanks to timely diagnosis and the use of advanced tools, we were able to remove it completely and safely. In cases like this, a complete resection significantly reduces the chances of recurrence.'Using a surgical microscope and ultrasonic aspirator, the team achieved a Simpson Grade 1 resection—meaning the tumour and its roots were entirely removed. The operation was carried out through four small openings in the skull, with no complications or need for blood transfusion. Speaking to Aletihad , Dr Nair said the operation took nine long hours and credited the success to the combined effort of the anaesthesia team, trained nursing staff, and neuro monitoring specialists. 'The location of the lesion was in an eloquent area, which made removal particularly challenging,' he added. 'Post-operative care was expertly managed by the intensivists.'Omes, who has a history of asthma and high cholesterol, recovered rapidly. She was weaned off ventilator support within 24 hours, mobilised the next day, and responded well to physiotherapy. A follow-up scan confirmed complete tumour removal. She was discharged on December 5, 2024, just a week after the surgery, with no neurological complications. She returned to work one month later, according to hospital sources. 'I'm incredibly thankful to Dr Nair and the entire team at Aster Hospital, Mankhool,' said Omes. 'I had been suffering for weeks, but now I'm pain-free and back at work. As a healthcare worker myself, I urge others not to ignore symptoms. Early intervention truly saved my life.'
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Filipino Healthcare Worker Recovers After Removal of Brain Tumor, Nearly the Size of a Tennis Ball, at Aster Hospital Mankhool
A 41-year-old Filipino woman, Ms. Jovelyn Sison Omes, a healthcare assistant at an aesthetic clinic in Dubai, underwent life-saving brain surgery at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, ranked No. 4 on Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals in the UAE list for 2025. Ms. Omes had been experiencing severe headaches, nausea, double vision, and a full-body seizure – alarming symptoms that prompted immediate medical evaluation. Upon her admission on November 27, 2024, scans revealed a large, non-cancerous brain tumor on the right side of her brain, known as a falcine meningioma. The tumor had grown across the center of her brain to the opposite side, causing swelling and pressure on critical brain areas, leading to a condition called cerebral edema and mass effect. Dr. Prakash Nair, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, compared the tumor's size to that of a tennis ball. Despite a medical history of asthma and high cholesterol, Ms. Omes was not on any regular medications. Her symptoms included persistent headaches (VAS 8/10), a seizure with tongue bite, temporary confusion, and a brief episode of double vision. She did not report limb weakness or trauma. On November 28, 2024, Dr. Prakash Nair and his team performed a complex brain surgery on Ms. Jovelyn Sison Omes at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, to remove the tumor located near a critical brain region responsible for limb movement. The patient was placed under general anesthesia, and the surgical team accessed the tumor through four small openings in the skull. Using advanced tools including a state-of-the-art microscope and ultrasonic aspirator (CUSA), the team performed a Simpson Grade 1 resection, meaning the tumor and its roots were entirely removed — significantly lowering the risk of recurrence. Bleeding was controlled without the need for transfusion, and the skull was reconstructed with precision. Following surgery, Ms. Omes was transferred to the ICU and weaned off ventilator support within 24 hours. A follow-up scan confirmed complete tumor removal with no complications. She was mobilized the next day, resumed eating normally within hours, and responded well to physiotherapy. Discharged on December 5, 2024, she made a full recovery with no neurological issues. 'This case highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and advanced neurosurgical care. The tumor was located in a challenging area near vital brain structures, but we were able to remove it completely without causing any damage,' said Dr. Prakash Nair, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, who led the surgery. He added, 'In cases of Simpson Grade 1 resection, the recurrence rate after 10 years is less than 9%2, which is extremely promising for the patient's long-term prognosis.' Falcine meningiomas make up about 9% of all intracranial meningiomas1 and are more common in women, with a two- to three-fold higher occurrence than in men3. These tumors are typically diagnosed more often with increasing age. In this case, the tumor's fibroblastic subtype added to the complexity of the condition. Ms. Jovelyn Sison Omes expressed her deep gratitude to Dr. Nair and the medical team, saying, 'I'm incredibly thankful to Dr. Nair and the entire team for saving my life. I had been suffering from debilitating symptoms, but today, I'm pain-free, seizure-free, and back to work. As a healthcare worker, I urge everyone not to ignore warning signs. Early intervention truly saved my life, and I hope my story encourages others to seek help when something doesn't feel right. With follow-up imaging confirming a successful outcome and no neurological deficits, Ms. Omes is expected to lead a full and healthy life. Her case stands as a testament to the power of timely diagnosis, surgical expertise, and compassionate care — all hallmarks of Aster Hospital Mankhool's commitment to clinical excellence.
