Surgeons cut 13lb of warts from 'tree man'

AN INDONESIAN man known as the "tree man" because of gnarled growths on his body has returned from hospital after surgeons removed 13lb of warts.

Dede, 37, who, like many Indonesians, goes by one name, noticed the warts after cutting his knee as a teenager. He was sacked from his job, deserted by his wife and shunned by neighbours as the horn-like growths covered most of his body.

One of his doctors, Rachmad Dinata, said: "His life quality has improved. Once he depended on others to do his activities, now he can eat by himself, use his hand to write, use the mobile phone."

The warts, possibly caused by human papilloma virus infection, might regrow, but they are no longer life-threatening.