Dede Koswara, 'Tree Man': New PHOTOS

Getty recently caught up with Dede Koswara, better known as "tree man," in his home village of Bandung, Java, Indonesia, where he is continuing treatment for his rare condition. Koswara spent much of his life covered in tree-like warts until he underwent surgery in 2008 to have over 4-pounds of them removed from his body.

A 2008 story in the Telegraph explained Koswara came to be covered in warts:

Dede's ordeal began when he was 15 and cut his knee in an accident. A small wart developed on his lower leg and spread uncontrollably.

Eventually he had to give up work as a builder and fisherman, and scratch a living in a traveling freak show. His wife of ten years left him as it became impossible for him to support her and their two children.

Due to a rare genetic problem, Koswara's immune system has made him unable to fight the Human Papilloma Virus infection causing his body to produce the warts.

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Comments

[uglygnome]

10:16 AM on 12/17/2009

I saw a documentary on Dede. He travels around Indonesia making money as a kind of circus freak. There are doctors willing to help him, but his is afraid that if he is cured, he may lose his only source of income for his family.

[RDH1-32]

02:10 PM on 12/17/2009

Gnome, yes, that seemed to be implied in the post, too. It seems a catch-22 kind of situation for him. With HPV, there is a likelihood that there are internal problems accompanying his condition - as we know HPV thrives in body cavities.

[plaidsportcoat]

07:36 PM on 12/17/2009

He was already operated on - but it all grew back. So, they can't really help him.

[cybertoothcat]

08:06 AM on 12/17/2009

We're liberals and progressives and feel the pain of the sick, needy, poor, etc. Can't we find a way to bring him to the US for treatment? Perhaps his treatment will be life-long, but the poor slob has provided enough entertainment for all the sickos.
Huffpo, why don't you establish an account to help this man? We, your readers, will contribute the cash.

[Fudgefase]

06:03 AM on 12/17/2009

This is a horrid condition. I'm surprised though, that if it's an immune system problem, why he hasn't succumbed to some other disease or infection before the warts became this extensive. It must be closer to an allergy than a breakdown of his immune system.
I wish there was an easy cure for it.

[famouslyanonymous]

01:54 AM on 12/17/2009

Warts not to like about this dude?

[HummusGringo]

03:21 AM on 12/17/2009

Lame. Really lame.

[LegallyPalin]

01:22 AM on 12/17/2009

I'm assuming there's no universal health care in Indonesia.

[rushour]

12:09 AM on 12/17/2009

PLEAS HP. ERASE THIS PIC!!!!
Every time I'm scrolling up and down the home page I see this pic and it reminds me about my ward.
It give me some thrills running up my leg!

Agggh

[Caroleeena]

07:21 AM on 12/17/2009

I agree. I wish HP would not post some of the photos they post on the front page. I have compassion for this man and I suffer also every time I see this photo. It's been featured for more than a day! And this is not the only one, that fish that is half fried while still alive and then served still alive, I thought that photo would never go away. People breaking legs, backs, noses, animal cruelty, disfigurements... It's too much!!! It makes me not want to come here.

[theredqueen]

10:36 AM on 12/17/2009

Well said, thanks.

[freeus]

09:25 PM on 12/16/2009

Sorry, but gross!!!

All the ani-science religious nuts out there? Here is where you too can end up. Just forsake the science you deny when you say the world is 6000 years old. Or whateverthefuk it is you believe.

[lisakaz2]

08:28 PM on 12/16/2009

Reminds me of that Greek myth. Zeus is doing this?

[natturnerx]

07:38 PM on 12/16/2009

if its not causing cervical cancer in women or throat cancer in men, then its causing hideous warts; is this hpv virus good for anything?

[edwoodjr]

07:14 PM on 12/16/2009

A tree smoking?

[Charlie Torres]

02:58 PM on 12/25/2009

It´s burned!!

[nicekappa1]

06:01 PM on 12/16/2009

You don't look much better. Feelin' pretty righteous though aren't you Tubby?

[ILuvBubbles]

06:00 PM on 12/16/2009

REMOVE THIS PLEASE!

[Tactical Grace]

05:32 PM on 12/16/2009

HP has sunk to a new low, internet tabloid.

[RogHol]

06:21 PM on 12/16/2009

The obsession with Tiger Woods is another example.

[guerline04]

05:02 PM on 12/16/2009

Why do people feel sorry for him? He was born in the image of God. And this is what intended for him.

[booboo111]

05:16 PM on 12/16/2009

God looks like that?

[KristenfromMA]

05:18 PM on 12/16/2009

Easy to say if 1.) it's someone else and not you, and 2.) you lack empathy.

[RogHol]

05:21 PM on 12/16/2009

3) He is not serious.

[AnimalsRTasty]

05:02 PM on 12/16/2009

Stevo should drink beer off his feet... probably already been done.


In all seriousness hopefully this poor chap gets more medical care than we can afford here in the states. If not maybe this story will raise some funds.