Can 'Tree Man' Be Saved?

JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 16, 2008 — -- Dede Koswara, popularly known across Indonesia as "Tree Man," has been living in a tropical hospital for months, where a team of doctors has been sawing away at the barklike growths that have slowly encased his entire body.

"This is the most remarkable case, the most severe case, I have seen in my career," said American doctor Anthony Gaspari at a news conference in Bandung, about a two-hour drive from capital city Jakarta.

For Dede (who is known by his first name), what started as a simple wart on his knee as a teenager spiraled his life out of control when it became infected. Treelike growths gradually spread all over his legs, arms, chest and face.

He became physically unable to do basic functions and everyday tasks.

As a result of his condition, Dede lost his job, and his wife left him. He moved in with his parents and has been supported by extended family. His two kids often visit him at the hospital.

Doctors have learned that Dede has a defect in his immune system. This defect doesn't allow him to control the type of human papilloma virus -- an extremely common virus that most of us develop an immunity to -- causing the warty growths on his skin. Their treatment plan is to control the tumorous growths and restore his immune system.

Hopes are high for Dede to have a second chance at life.

"What I really want first is to get better and find a job. But then, one day, who knows? I might meet a girl and get married," the 37-year-old told the British newspaper The Telegraph from the hospital.

Gaspari, from the University of Maryland and specializing in immune function of the skin, sat on the press panel with a team of experts. He talked about how he first became involved in helping to treat Dede.

"I was actually asked by The Discovery Channel to join them and to study this patient and confirm what kind of health problem he had," said Gaspari. "I was also interested in this case to see what I could do to help this patient."

Gaspari's initial involvement in this case created a local firestorm. Dede's blood samples were reportedly taken out of the country without the government's permission.