'Tree Man' Back in Hospital To Remove Rapidly Growing Warts

An Indonesian dubbed Tree Man because of massive bark-like warts all over his body underwent a ninth round of surgery on Thursday to remove more of the growths, a doctor said.

An Indonesian dubbed "Tree Man" because of massive bark-like warts all over his body underwent a ninth round of surgery on Thursday to remove more of the growths, a doctor said.

Dede Koswara, 38, had extensive treatment last year for the first time to cut off 13.2 kilogrammes of the fast-growing warts, but the doctor warned Thursday they are rapidly growing back.

Calcium and Vitamin Supplements
Calcium and vitamin supplements are taken to provide the body with the ''required'' nutrients. Calcium is a mineral found in many foods. Vitamins are very important nutrients for the body.

"No cure for the disease exists yet, so he needs operations every three to four months because the warts keep on growing," said Rachmatdinata, director of Hasan Sadikin Hospital in Bandung city, West Java.

Treatment last year allowed Koswara to use his hands and move with relative freedom for the first time in years, the thick warts are clustered most densely around his feet and hands, though they cover his whole body.

Seven surgeons worked for four hours in the latest operation to remove 1.4 kilogrammes (3.08 pounds) of the thick growths, which have drawn worldwide attention to the villager.

'Tree Man'Banned from Treatment in The U.S.
32-year-old Dede, an Indonesian villager, is dubbed the "Tree Man." He has woody growths on his hands that make him unfit for any kind of work except to feature as a "freak."

"Dede's in good physical condition, better than before since he's quit smoking," said the doctor.

Koswara's condition has been diagnosed by a US dermatologist as a genetic defect that means his body is unable to stop the growth of warts caused by the human papilloma virus.

Tree Man: What are His Chances?
Dede Koswara also called the "Tree Man" because of bark-like growths all over his body, may have a chance of surviving after doctors removed 2 kg of warts from his body.

It had initially been hoped that treatment with doses of vitamin A would check the growths, which have led to Koswara being abandoned by his wife and unable to care for his two children.

Before surgery in August last year, the condition also left Koswara unable to bathe himself or work, except in a travelling "freak show".

Doctors Remove Six Kilos of Warts from 'Tree Man's' Body
An Indonesian villager dubbed Tree Man for massive bark-like warts on his body returned home Monday after doctors removed six kilograms (13.

Source-AFP
SRM