Man with 30kg of tumours on his body

An Indonesian man living with various tumours on his body is unable to get rid of them. 34-year-old Andriadi Putra has been told by doctors that he was born with Neurofibromatosis, a rare genetic disorder that causes tumours to form on nerve tissue. Andriadi finds it difficult to walk and is in pain on a daily basis. The tumours have become bigger and bigger over the last two years, with the largest growing on his face.

But Andriadi and his family do not have the funds to source the necessary treatment. The condition has also left him unable to work or get on with his life.

Andriadi says he is now trying to remain positive about it all and looking at it as a test from God.

Andriadi said: ‘It’s difficult for me to walk and the tumour has become much bigger. ‘It’s made me scared. ’10 years ago, a doctor saw my condition and said this kind of surgery needs a lot of blood donations so it will be more expensive.

‘But due to the low financial condition of my parents, we decided not to go ahead with the surgery. ‘I haven’t consulted with a doctor since then. ‘The tumour has been weighted around 20 kilograms on my stomach and chest. But not the whole side of my body. I estimate the weight of them all is around 30 kilograms.’

Andriadi was born with just a small blemish on his face that he and his parents believed to be a birthmark. But it has grown bigger with age.

‘I often have a shortness of breath and it’s made it difficult to do any activity or to go outside,’ Andriadi adds.

Andriadi’s father, Ismed, added: ‘As parents, there is nothing we can do with his condition. ‘We only provide his daily need and support to him. Nothing more.’ Andriadi has received great support from his family and friends – something he remains very thankful for.

But his confidence has been impacted over the years, especially when out in public with people staring and pointing at him. ‘I’ve never seen people like me,’ he said. ‘I think my confidence is 50% lower. When I go outside and meet people, they stare at me and some of them look at me with an unpleasant reaction.’

Andriadi is now trying to accept his condition. ‘At the beginning, this condition made me desperate and disappointed. I was comparing my condition to others and it made me sad. ‘But recently, I think positively. Maybe this condition is a gift from Allah – I must be patient and not forget to pray. ‘I think I have a bright future and want to make my parents and my family happy.’