The elephant man

The real elephant man

Huang Chuncai was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis, and received a second operation on January 3, 2008 to lessen the 50-pound tumor from his face. The surgery was performed in China and removed 9.9 pounds of the tumor.

Named the “Elephant Man” by the press, Chuncai has lived most of his life in seclusion. The tumor first developed when Chuncai was four, and at the age of 10, he left school after being taunted by classmates. His family operates a farm, but could not afford the costly surgeries to remove the tumors. Fuda Hospital, in southern China, was contacted about Chuncai and offered to assist.

His first surgery was in July 2007, where 10 doctors removed 33 pounds of the tumor. The tumor contains many blood vessels, heightening the risk of excessive bleeding during each operation. The weight of the tumors have bent Chuncai’s backbone and left him barely able to speak or eat. Even after the tumors are removed, Chuncai will require further operations to remove the excess skin on his face.

1. Age: 31
2. First tumor appeared at age four
3. First surgery, July 2007, removed 33 pounds
4. Second surgery, January 2008, removed 9.9 pounds
5. Reported to be the most severe case of Neurofibromatosis ever
6. Parents say a circus offered to purchase Chuncai, but his parents refused

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