Only around 200 cases have been reported in the medical literature.
The bark-like skin growths can be painful and disfiguring, and lead to substantial disability.
Surgery can help, but the growths often come back.
Ulet Ifansasti/ Stringer / Getty Images
The strains known to cause EV symptoms include HPV types 5, 8, and 10.
This usually takes place if both parents are carriers of the mutation but don’t actually have the disease.
These mutations disrupt a part of your immune defenses called “cell-mediated immunity.”
Without the ample distribution of zinc, HPV stands a greater chance of persisting and causing disease.
The remaining 25% of inherited EV cases are the result ofprimary immunodeficiency.
This is defined as the lack of immune defenses brought on by specific gene mutations.
Mutations associated with EV include those affecting the RHOH, MST1, CORO1A, and IL-7 genes.
This suggests that other factors, environmental and/or genetic, may contribute to this uncommon skin disorder.
Over time, the accumulation of warts and lesions can give the skin a dark, bark-like appearance.
With tree man syndrome, HPV types 5 and 8 are the types most commonly linked to skin cancer.
This is the form of cancer that affects squamous cells found on the surface of the skin.
Even so, SCC can sometimesmetastasizeand spread to distant organs.
Diagnosis
Tree man syndrome can usually be diagnosed by its appearance.
Genetic testing may be useful in determining whether the cause is genetic or acquired.
Because of the increased risk of skin cancer, regular check-ups with a specialist dermatologist are recommended.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for tree man syndrome.
The available treatments are aimed at managing the symptoms and preventing complications like cancer.
The goal is to prevent skin cancer or treat it in theearly stages.
Even if squamous cell carcinoma is found, it remains a highly curable form of cancer.
If diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate is approximately 99%.
EV can be diagnosed on sight and confirmed with a skin biopsy.
Treatments include surgery, retinoid drugs, and sun protection.
Even with surgery, warts and lesions can return.
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