Shadot Hossain is in a race against time to secure surgery to remove the tumours

A father suffering from a genetic condition has hundreds of bubble-like tumours covering his entire body.

Shadot Hossain is believed to be suffering from neurofibromatosis - which cause non-cancerous lumps to crop up.

But he is in a race against time to secure surgery which will remove the tumours, saving his eyesight.

Without an operation to slice away the growths, the 47-year-old could permanently lose his vision.

Covering the entire length of his body, the tumours are so severe he cannot wear clothing on his top half and struggles to feed himself.

And his extreme appearance means even his own 12-year-old son, Abdullah, shies away from looking at him.

The father-of-three, who lives in Shajadpur, Bangladesh, said: 'It is very difficult to live with pain like this.

'I also suffer a lot with itching on the body and the neck. My body feels heavy.'

'The moment anyone sees me they try to move away from me. The kids when they see me they just freak out and start running.'

He added: 'I cannot go outside because children are afraid of me. They call me "monster". I wasn't always in this condition. I was handsome in my young age.

'Nowadays Abdullah doesn't talk to me. I understand why he feels like that. I can't do anything for my son or family.

'I feel very bad, at night I don't sleep because I feel afraid.'

He is believed to be suffering from neurofibromatosis - which cause non-cancerous lumps to crop up across his entire body (pictured with a doctor in Shajadpur, Bangladesh)

Without an operation to slice away the growths, the 47-year-old could permanently lose his vision (pictured with his wife Tajmohel, 39, and son Abdullah Hossain, 12)

Shadot used to work as a labourer but as his condition worsened he failed to do simple everyday tasks and had to quit his job.

But without a regular income he cannot afford medicine or further treatment to remove the tumours.

I cannot go outside because children are afraid of me. They call me 'monster' Shadot Hossain, 47

His wife, Tajmohel Khatun, 39, has seen first hand the impact her husband's deteriorating condition - and lack of finances - has had on the family.

Tajmohel said: 'He is not able to do anything alone now. We even need to help change his clothes and help with using the toilet.

'Villagers provide us with clothes to wear as I am not able to earn a living.

'My husband is ill and I have to accept this fact. I have gotten my two daughters married but because of our financial crisis I cannot send my son to school.'

Although Shadot had already started developing tumours on his body he was still able to lead a normal life when he first met Tajmohel.

Tajmohel said: 'When I married Shadot he was suffering with this disease but he was fine but his condition is so much worse now; slowly the tumours have grown.'

The father-of-three, who lives in Shajadpur, Bangladesh, said: 'It is very difficult to live with pain like this'

Shadot used to work as a labourer but as his condition worsened he failed to do simple everyday tasks and had to quit his job

Shadot will go to the National Institute of Neuro-Sciences & Hospital in Dhaka for a full diagnosis and potential treatment in the coming weeks

Shadot first noticed a tumour growing on his forehead when he was 13, but it's only in the last five years that his condition has become so acute.

He said: 'In the last five years the tumours covered my whole body; my eyes have been closed by them and I can't see properly.'

WHAT IS THIS CONDITION? Neurofibromatosis the name for a number of genetic conditions that cause swellings or lumps and affects just one in 3,000 births. Type 1 is a condition someone is born with, although some symptoms develop gradually over many years. The severity of the condition can vary considerably from person to person, but sufferers are more likely to suffer from behavioural problems, vision difficulties and high blood pressure. Despite the alarming appearance, the growths and swellings - called neurofibromas and caused by a growth of cells - are not cancerous or contagious. The condition has long been associated with the 'Elephant Man', the name given to Joseph Carey Merrick, who was severely disfigured. Advertisement

Without medical intervention, doctors say Shadot is at risk of permanently going blind.

Dr Mahmudul Hassan says he has never seen a patient with such extreme tumours.

He said: 'I haven't seen any case like this before. Patient Shadat's condition is very serious.

'We need to cut the layers from his eyes for the lack of visibility that he is suffering. If not cured he can lose his visibility.'

Without the money to fund the treatment themselves the family are relying on charity instead.

Local social worker Mohammed Mamun Biswas has been campaigning and collecting money on Shodat's behalf.

He said: 'I ask the government to provide proper treatment to Shadot so he can get back to a normal life and support his family and help his boy to study.'

And thanks to Mohammed's efforts Shadot will go to the National Institute of Neuro-Sciences & Hospital in Dhaka for a full diagnosis and potential treatment in the coming weeks.

Tajmohel said: 'I pray to God to cure my husband so I don't have to live the rest of my life as a widow.

'There is no peace in our lives.'