Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James had a benign growth removed from his right jaw in a five-hour surgery on Tuesday.

Doctor removed tissue from the parotid gland, which produces saliva.

The NBA MVP has suffered for several months, but doctors permitted him to put off the surgey until the Cavaliers had completed their season. Cleveland was eliminated from the NBA playoffs on Saturday by Orlando in the Eastern Conference finals.

James remains hospitalized and the team said he will soon be returning home.

The 24-year-old James was the league MVP this season after leading the Cavs to 66 regular-seasons wins and their second Central Division title. He averaged 38.5 points, 8.3 assists and 8.0 rebounds in Cleveland's series against the Magic, who won in six games.

(Xinhua News Agency June 4, 2009)