Pensioner With Rare Nerve Condition Covered In Thousands Of Tumours

A pensioner with a rare medical condition has thousands of tumours across his body, including one that weighs four stone.

Diwakar Bisoye, from Odisha State, east India, is covered from head to toe with benign tumours, which are thought to be caused by a rare genetic disorder.

The 65-year-old says it has led him to become a social outcast in his village. He claims he is treated worse than 'a dirty stray animal' and is forced to wear a balaclava over his face due to cruel taunts from neighbours.

Former farmer Diwakar revealed he began to develop a series of small bumps and lumps on his body around 15 years ago, however, over the course of just a few months, they quickly spread.

And though it is not life-threatening, Diwakar says he's is desperate for a cure for his condition but claims there is no treatment available anywhere near his isolated village.

Speaking about his disorder and the harsh treatment he receives from neighbours, he said: "People mock and ridicule me directly. They stare at me and avoid me. Most people act very strange around me. No one likes looking at me or being near me.

"People think I will infect everything. Landlords don't want me living in their property or ask me to leave when people complain about my condition. It's left me without a job for 15 years."

According to specialists, the tumours are caused by a genetic disorder brought on by abnormalities in Diwakar's nervous system.

Dr Subramania Lyer, professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kerala, said it may take several operations to remove all of the tumours on his body.

He said: "This is a case of multiple neurofibromatosis which means that these nodules arise from nerves traversing the body.

"This is a hereditary genetic disorder and has at present no medical treatment. The only solution is the surgical removal of most troublesome swellings.

"Considering his extensive numbers this may have to be done in stages".

Last year, a woman who was born with 20 toes and 12 fingers says she too has become a social outcast, with neighbours believing she is a witch.

Kumar Nayak, 63, was born with a rare condition called polydactyly, which causes people to have more than the average number of digits on their hands and/or feet.

But with no money to pay for treatment, Kumar, who lives in Ganjam, Odisha, in India, says she has no choice but to live with the condition.

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: World News, Health, India

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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