10/13/2014

ALBINO

It is very difficult to be an albino in the tropics. These patients often develop lethal skin cancers. It has been hypothesized that skin cancer prompted the evolution of dark skin.  On every trip to Nigeria, I see albinos with terrible skin cancers. Some patients come early enough that simple cauterization can solve the problem. However, they must come often since new cancers are always developing. This unfortunate patient came in very late. Soon we will perform a big surgery to remove the cancer and cover the site with new tissue.
Albino patients that frequently come for surgery