Indonesian man attacked by hundreds of tumours after he removed one from his waist, as doctors fear for his sight

Desperate: A man whose body has been disfigured by hundreds of tumours has made a final plea for help as the rare condition robs him of his sight

An Indoneisian man whose body is covered by hundreds of tumours has made a final plea for help as the rare condition robs him of his sight. 

Slamet, from East Java, is believed to be suffering from neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition which causes uncontrollable growths along the nerves.
According to his brother Suwadi, the 59-year-old had a tumour removed from his waist in 1991.

Slamet, 59, is believed to be suffering from neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition which causes uncontrollable growths along the nerves

Despite their alarming appearance, the growths and swellings - called neurofibromas and caused by a growth of cells - are not cancerous or contagious

But six months later tumours began to form all over his face and body.
Years later the condition has become intolerable and Slamet suffers constant pain throughout his body.
Recently the tumours have started blocking his nostrils, making it difficult for him to breath.

 

Slamet suffers constant pain and the tumours have started blocking his nostrils, making it difficult to breath

Slamet points at his eyes which had becomes covered in the tumours

Slamet's body is covered in lumps as he walks around a field outside his home in the village of Nguntoronadi

Slamet is now unable to work and relies on handouts.

Neurofibromatosis is the name for a number of genetic conditions that cause swellings or lumps.
Although many people who have the condition inherit it from one of their parents, up to 50 per cent develop it randomly from a gene mutation before they are born.
Despite their alarming appearance, the growths and swellings - called neurofibromas and caused by a growth of cells - are not cancerous or contagious.

Slamet arrives at Regional Hospital to consult Dr. Sayidiman Magetan in East Java, Indonesia

Dr. Sayidiman Magetan examines the patient. Slamet is now unable to work and relies on handouts

His kind-hearted neighbours in Nguntoronadi, Magetan, East Java, have started a Facebook group to try and raise enough money to fund the removal of the tumours

Slamet's kind-hearted neighbours in Nguntoronadi, Magetan, East Java, have started a Facebook group to try and raise enough money to fund the removal of the tumours.
In November a photo of Vinicio Riva, who also has neurofibromatosis, spread across the world when he was warmly embraced by Pope Francis at one of the pontiff's weekly audiences in St Peter's Square.

Slamet sits on the floor at his home with some companions

Slamet, far left, with family at his home in the village of Nguntoronadi. His family are desperate for him to be helped

 

 

In November a photo of Vinicio Riva, who also has neurofibromatosis, spread across the world when he was warmly embraced by Pope Francis at one of the pontiff's weekly audiences in St Peter's Square. Both pictured

WHAT IS NEUROFIBROMATOSIS?

Neurofibromatosis has long been associated with the 'Elephant Man,' the name given to Joseph Carey Merrick, who was severely disfigured. But evidence now suggests he was suffering from another rare syndrome

Slamet is believed to be suffering from a condition called neurofibromatosis – the name for a number of genetic conditions that cause swellings or lumps.
Although many people who have the condition inherit it from one of their parents, up to 50 per cent develop it randomly from a gene mutation before they are born.
There are two types of neurofibromatosis and this man is suffering from type one, Dr Anand Saggar, a London-based genetics expert, told MailOnline. 
Despite their alarming appearance, the growths and swellings - called neurofibromas and caused by a growth of cells - are not cancerous or contagious.
The condition has long been associated with the ‘Elephant Man,’ the name given to Joseph Carey Merrick, who was severely disfigured.
However, in 1986, a new theory emerged that Mr Merrick may actually have had Proteus syndrome, a condition which involves symptoms such as abnormal growth of the bones, skin and head.
The confusion was again compounded in 2001 when it was proposed that he had suffered from a combination of neurofibromatosis type one (NF1) and Proteus syndrome.
However, DNA tests on his hair and bones have proven inconclusive.
Other symptoms of neurofibromatosis type one include flat, light brown spots on the skin.
These harmless marks, also called cafe au lait spots, are common in many people. People who have more than six spots that are bigger than half a centimetre wide should get investigated for NF1. 
NF1 is a condition someone is born with, although some symptoms develop gradually over many years. The severity of the condition can vary considerably from person to person.
People with NH1 are more likely to suffer from learning difficulties and behavioural problems, a type of cancer known as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours, which affect around 10 per cent of people with NF1 over their lifetime, vision problems, high blood pressure and a curved spine. 

Culled from DAILY MAIL