Surgery for Bangladesh’s ‘Tree Man’ to remove warts

A Bangladeshi father dubbed “Tree Man” for massive bark-like warts on his hands and feet will finally have surgery to remove the growths that first began appearing 10 years ago. Abul Bajandar, from the southern district of Khulna, was undergoing preparations for the surgery to cut out the growths weighing at least 5kg (11lb) that have smothered his hands and feet. “Initially, I thought that they’re harmless,” the 26-year-old told AFP at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). “But slowly I lost all my ability to work.”

There are now dozens of two to three inch roots in both my hands. And there are some small ones in my legs.

Abul Bajandar

A team of doctors has been formed to perform the operation at DMCH, Bangladesh’s largest state-run hospital, which has decided to waive costs of the treatment. Tests are underway to ensure Bajandar’s root-like warts can be removed surgically without damaging major nerves or causing any other health problems. The massive warts, which first started appearing when he was a teenager but began spreading rapidly four years ago, have been diagnosed as epidermodysplasia verruciformis, an extremely rare genetic skin disease that makes the person susceptible to skin growths.

As far as we know there are three such cases in the world including Abul Bajandar. It is the first time we have found such a rare case in Bangladesh.

DMCH director Samanta Lal Sen

tree man