Sinar Harian reported the 15-year-old, only known as Shahril, underwent surgery recently, where doctors removed the teen’s “twin” – a mass of tissue with hair its length, and partially formed limbs and genitalia.

This condition is scientifically known as “foetus-in-fetu”, a rare occurrence when one of the twins forms in the body of the other. Only a handful of cases have been reported worldwide, thus far.

According to a source who spoke to the daily, Shahril had been taken to seek medical attention when he was only a year old, due to his oddly rounded tummy.

However, no surgery was performed on the boy as he did not suffer from any complications.

In fact, as he grew up, Shahril actively played football and other sports and none of it gave him complications.

At one point of time, the boy also reportedly had a voracious appetite – downing food in large quantities, as he once said “I have to feed the baby in my stomach.”

However, as he entered secondary school, the teenager faced restrictions in his physical movements due to the protruding abdomen, and he was also ashamed of his appearance.

Last month, Shahril started complaining about excruciating pain in his stomach and became so ill that he could not hold down any food. He was eventually taken to the hospital where doctors successfully removed the “twin.”