Man’s Body Develops Tree-Like Growths

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Man’s Body Develops Tree-Like Growths

February 24th, 2016

Awake Goy

Man has dozens of two to three inch tree-like growths on his hands.

Abdul Bajadra has dozens of two to three inch tree-like growths on his hands.

In the 2014 sci-fi movie Guardians of the Galaxy, there is a character called “Groot”, a sentient extraterrestrial creature whose appearance is very tree-like. An earthling in Bangladesh is reminiscent of “Groot” in that he has tree-like growths on his body.

Abul Bajandra struggles with an extremely rare skin disease called epidermodysplasia verriciformis, known as “tree man” disease, a condition that causes wart-like lesions resembling gnarled tree branches, bark, and branches to grow on the body, particularly on the hands and feet. The disease is inherited, non-contagious, and incurable. There are only three known cases of Tree Man disease.

Bajandra, 26-year-old father of one, first noticed the unusual growths when he was about 10 years old. He tried to cut them off but found the attempt too painful. Over time the growths increased in size and number. He had to give up his job driving a rickshaw. The growths were so numerous and large that he could not use his hands to lift a fork to eat or use a toothbrush to brush his teeth.

Four years ago the growths began to increase rapidly. He had dozens of two to three inch growths on his hands and smaller ones on his legs. Bajadra’s sister said hundreds of people visited their home over the years to see the “Tree Man”.

After Bajadra’s condition became known to doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, a team of surgeons offered to remove the growths, which weigh about 11 pounds. The Hospital waived operation costs. Tests were made to ensure the growths were not cancerous and that they could be removed surgically without damaging major nerves or causing other health problems. Bajadra was admitted to the hospital in January, 2016 and underwent surgery in mid-February, 2016.

A team of nine doctors operated on Bajadra for three and a half hours to remove the growths from his right hand. After the operation, his wife said Bajadra looked relaxed and happy. Although Bajadra said he felt no discomfort during the surgery, he admitted that after the operation his arm hurt a lot. However, he said he was fine and content. He dreams of getting a job so he can support his family. “I want to have a normal life”, he said.

One of the doctors said, “It was a successful operation. We’ll now review his condition for the next three weeks before deciding whether to conduct more operations. It’s a big challenge.”