Indonesian man has tumour removed from his waist only for hundreds of others to sprout up all over his face as doctors fear for his sight .

                                              An Indonesian man whose body is covered by hundreds of tumours has made a final plea for help as the rare condition robs him of his sight.  Slamet, from East Java, is believed to be suffering from neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition which causes uncontrollable growths along the nerves. 

According to his brother Suwadi, the 59-year-old had a tumour removed from his waist in 1991

But six months later tumours began to form all over his face and body.

Years later the condition has become intolerable and Slamet suffers constant pain throughout his body.

Recently the tumours have started blocking his nostrils, making it difficult for him to breath.

                                                                                                                                    Slamet is now unable to work and relies on handouts.  Neurofibromatosis is the name for a number of genetic conditions that cause swellings or lumps. Although many people who have the condition inherit it from one of their parents, up to 50 per cent develop it randomly from a gene mutation before they are born.

Despite their alarming appearance, the growths and swellings - called neurofibromas and caused by a growth of cells - are not cancerous or contagious.

                                                                                          Slamet's kind-hearted neighbours in Nguntoronadi, Magetan, East Java, have started a Facebook group to try and raise enough money to fund the removal of the tumours. In November a photo of Vinicio Riva, who also has neurofibromatosis, spread across the world when he was warmly embraced by Pope Francis at one of the pontiff's weekly audiences in St Peter's Square.

posted by Emanto Ngaloru  Jan 7, 2014.