Proteus synrome is a congenital disorder that causes skin overgrowth and atypical bone development, often accompanied by tumors over half the body. Since Dr. Michael Cohen identified it in 1979, only a few more than 200 cases have been confirmed worldwide, with estimates that about 120 people are currently alive with the condition. There may be many more than this, but those individuals correctly diagnosed usually have the most obvious manifestations of Proteus syndrome, leaving them severely disfigured. Proteus syndrome is named after the Greek sea-god Proteus, who could change his shape.