Tree Man Syndrome: Rare skin disorder leaves sufferers with bark-like growths

A rare skin disorder known as epidermodysplasia verruciformis, often called tree man syndrome, has afflicted a small number of people worldwide. Patients develop wart-like growths that resemble tree bark, spreading crusty brown skin across their bodies. The condition is considered incurable, and while growths can be surgically removed, they frequently return, leaving sufferers in chronic pain and sometimes prompting amputation.

The disorder stems from a defect in the immune system that raises vulnerability to human papillomavirus, or HPV. Dr. Anthony Youn, a plastic surgeon from Michigan, described it in a widely viewed YouTube video as a very rare condition that is often inherited from both parents. He said people with the condition have a weakness dealing with HPV, the same virus that causes genital warts. The video, which has drawn hundreds of thousands of views, underscores how the disease can manifest as widespread, pain-filled growths and a heavy physical and emotional burden for those affected.

In Bangladesh, one of the most widely publicized cases involves Abul Bajandar, a 28-year-old man who has become known as the country’s “tree man.” Since 2016 he has undergone about 25 operations to remove bark-like growths on his hands and feet. Doctors have repeatedly faced the challenge that the lesions return, sometimes growing back even after lengthy procedures. Bajandar has described excruciating pain and has been readmitted to hospital when new growths resurfaced, with some lesions extending several inches. He has said that the burden of the disease has made daily life nearly impossible at times, requesting surgical relief to regain function.

A spokesperson or clinician familiar with Bajandar’s case has quoted him saying, “I cannot bear the pain anymore. I can’t sleep at night. I asked the doctors to cut off my hands so I can at least get some relief.” His case has highlighted the wider reality of this rare condition: even after aggressive surgical intervention, the underlying immune vulnerability that allows HPV to drive these growths remains.

Another patient cited in international reporting is Mahmoud Taluli, a 44-year-old resident of Gaza who spent years dealing with thousands of lesions across his body. In 2019, doctors at Jerusalem’s Hadassah University Medical Centre carried out a series of surgeries to remove the tree-like formations and graft skin from other parts of his body to mask the wounds and restore hand function. Taluli has said that the procedures have changed his life, allowing him to play with his children for the first time in years. He has emphasized the core truth of his experience: the surgeries brought relief and regained mobility, but long-term management remains essential given the risk of recurrence.

Taluli’s experience has been echoed by his treating hand specialist, who noted that beyond the pain, the disease carries serious health risks. In reporting on his case, NPR documented Taluli’s remark that the procedure “has completely changed my life. I can play with my children.” Yet the surgeon who treated him cautioned that the condition is dangerous and could easily develop into cancer if left untreated. Such warnings reflect a broader concern among clinicians: even when growths are removed, the underlying biology can predispose affected skin to malignant transformation over time.

The public record on how many people live with the condition is imprecise. Reports vary widely, with figures ranging from about a dozen to around 200 people worldwide. The lack of a large patient pool has limited systematic study, complicating efforts to develop standardized treatments or preventative strategies. In the Bangladesh case and others, experts have described the condition as typically presenting in a person’s 20s, with an immunocompromised state that heightens vulnerability to other illnesses. In addition to cosmetic and functional burdens, the growths can be painful and, if left unchecked, may carry cancer risk over the long term.

Beyond these high-profile stories, other sufferers have been documented along with younger patients and families facing complex medical journeys. One early case involved a Bangladeshi child known to observers as Muktamoni, whose upper body has been severely affected. Local reports have described her as having a chest area that has turned brown and bark-like in appearance, with her right hand also affected by lesions. The uneven progression among patients — where some areas of the body are more affected than others — demonstrates the unpredictable nature of the disorder.

The medical community often frames epidermodysplasia verruciformis as a defect in genetic immune pathways that impairs the body’s ability to control HPV infections. While wart-like lesions are a hallmark, the disease’s impact is broader: chronic pain, functional impairment, social isolation, and a heavy emotional toll from living with a disfiguring condition. Treatments to date have focused on removing lesions, sometimes through repeated surgeries and skin grafts, and on managing pain and infection risk. However, because the root immune defect persists, regrowth remains a persistent challenge. Complicating the picture is the possibility of malignant change in affected skin, underscoring why clinicians treat even “remission” phases with caution and long-term follow-up.

Healthcare providers emphasize the need for supportive care that addresses physical symptoms and quality of life. Counseling and social support are often essential components of care, given the stigma and isolation that can accompany visible skin diseases. Researchers continue to study the genetic and immunological underpinnings of this condition, with the hope that advances in immunotherapy or antiviral strategies might improve prevention of new growths or slow their recurrence. While science has not yet produced a cure, the stories of Bajandar and Taluli illustrate both the resilience of patients and the importance of continued medical attention and resources for those affected by this rare disease.

Health systems facing rare conditions like epidermodysplasia verruciformis must balance urgent care for painful lesions with long-term strategies to monitor recurrence and cancer risk. In places with limited access to specialized dermatology and surgery, patients may experience delays in treatment or require repeated interventions that add to physical and financial strain. International medical reporting on these cases underscores a broader truth: even for rare diseases, patient-centered care, early diagnosis, and ongoing surveillance are critical to improving outcomes when cures remain elusive.