‘Tree Man’ May Be Cured

By JTPednaud in Health on Nov 13, 2007 at 8:59 am

Tree-ManAn Indonesian fisherman who feared that he would be killed by tree-like growths covering his body has been given hope of recovery by an American doctor – and Vitamin A.

Dede, now 35, baffled medical experts when warty “roots” began growing out of his arms and feet after he cut his knee in a teenage accident. The condition quickly prevented him from working or completing household chores. To make matter worse, his wife deserted him and left him to care for their two children in poverty.

But now an American dermatology expert who flew out to Dede’s home village south of the capital Jakarta claims to have identified his condition, and proposed a treatment that could transform his life.

Read the remainder here. Warning, some images are rather unsettling.


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  1. Miss Cellania
    Nov 13th, 2007 at 10:09 am

    I’m glad he’s going to have treatment, finally. But I hope that “rare genetic defect” wasn’t passed to his children. That would be dangerous in so many ways.

  2. Scot
    Nov 13th, 2007 at 10:32 am

    Put up a tent and charge admission.

  3. mike
    Nov 13th, 2007 at 10:53 am

    god bless that man as well as the doctor

  4. meg
    Nov 13th, 2007 at 12:09 pm

    I’m sure he’s a good and decent person, but seeing as I cant even deal with scabs and dead skin, I don’t think I could be around him without cringing. I hope the doctor can help remove some of the growths.

  5. biltmore
    Nov 13th, 2007 at 12:11 pm

    What does God have anything to do with this Mike?

  6. j
    Nov 13th, 2007 at 4:35 pm

    hey biltmore…do you believe you exist? if so, its obvious God has everything to do with everything, duh?

  7. stevo
    Nov 13th, 2007 at 5:15 pm

    j:

    A: I exist
    B: ?

    Therefore:
    C: God exists

    Please enlighten us with the depths of your wisdom and intelligence on how this works.

  8. meg
    Nov 13th, 2007 at 8:51 pm

    huh? j, that makes absolutely zero sense. if you’re going to say god exists then at least provide a sensible argument. either way, i think this article is way more about how good a person this doctor is, and how this man is lucky.

  9. rman456
    Nov 13th, 2007 at 10:26 pm

    I saw someone with a similar condition when I was younger begging in the streets of Saudi Arabia, it looked like he had mushrooms growing out of his body. Very sad.

  10. Daniel Kim
    Nov 13th, 2007 at 10:45 pm

    I recall an earlier post about a man in Eastern Europe (?) with a similar condition. He was being treated by a missionary (?), who was gradually abrading off the growths. I don’t know if this person, or his caregivers, are aware of the link to HPV.

    The linked article shows a photo of the man wearing a shirt. My first thought was: “How did he get those hands into the sleeves?”

  11. yudonomi
    Nov 14th, 2007 at 2:41 am

    I saw a post about this condition on boingboing back in March. Here’s a link to some unsettling images of the papilloma virus affecting rabbits (in case anyone wants more gross imagery)

    http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~hollidac/jacksforreal.html

  12. MoniA
    Nov 14th, 2007 at 10:34 am

    Wasn’t there an earlier article here about real Jackalopes(sp)? It’s the same type of virus. That’s so sad for that man and his family. Yes, GOD bless that Dr. for going there. I think I’d be scared. Hope the guy gets some relief.

  13. Web Buzz
    Nov 20th, 2007 at 4:43 am

    Now again there’s news that he’s deprived of treatment!!.


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