A woman’s leg has swelled to enormous proportions in a potentially-deadly condition.
Rezia Begum’s, 40, right leg weighs around 132lbs (60kg) due to suspected elephantiasis.
The mother-of-two, from Bangladesh, has suffered with the condition ever since the birth of her second daughter 18 years ago.
Although it is unclear how Ms Begum’s condition affects her, she says she is now dependent on the support of her relatives.
Ms Begum said: ‘I was like any other normal woman but now I’m a burden on my poor family.’
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A woman’s leg has swelled to enormous proportions in a potentially-deadly condition
Rezia Begum’s, 40, right leg weighs around 132lbs (60kg) (pictured with her husband)
The mother has suffered with the condition since the birth of her second daughter 18 years ago
Although she is being cared for at Dhaka Medical College Hospital in Bangladesh, she is yet to begin treatment.
Surgery and additional tests are required before therapy can start.
The cause of Ms Begum’s condition is unclear, however, previous reports of other cases revealed the disorder can be caused by roundworms entering the body via mosquitoes.
If the swelling spreads from the legs to the abdomen, the condition can be fatal.
Elephantiasis affects around 120 million people globally.
It is characterised by the massive enlargement of an area of the body due to obstruction of the lymphatic system.
This results in the accumulation of fluids in the affected part of the body.
Although it is unclear the extent to which Ms Begum’s condition affects her, other sufferers have been left unable to walk or urinate as a result of the disorder.
Ms Begum is suffering from suspected elephantiasis but is yet to begin treatment
Surgery and additional tests are required before treatment for elephantiasis can start
Although it is unclear how she is affected, she says she is dependent on her family for help
The cause of her condition is uncertain, however, it has been linked to roundworms before
These enter the body via mosquitoes and obstruct the lymphatic system, causing swelling
If the swelling spreads from the leg to the abdomen, the condition can be life-threatening
Other sufferers have been left unable to walk or urinate due to the immobilising disorder