SYNDROME, PROTEUS

A disturbance of cell growth including benign tumors under the skin, overgrowth of the body, often more on one side than the other (hemihypertrophy), and overgrowth of fingers (macrodactyly). The syndrome is named after the Greek god Proteus the polymorphous who could change his appearance. The "elephant man" (John MerricK) of 19th century England who was thought to have had neurofibromatosis probably had Proteus syndrome.