Skin cancer is the most common cancer in humans. Melanomas are the most deadly form of skin cancer. Most people have moles in various parts of their body. It is important to check for the development of malignant melanomas in existing moles, and other body sites.

Melanomas are cancerous cells that develop in the cells that produce melanin. Melanin is produced naturally by cells called melanocytes as a defense against the damaging and potentially deadly effects of UV rays. This is why one gets darker, (a “tan”), with excessive sun exposure. Melanin is also the pigment responsible for the color of hair and skin. The more melanin one has, the less likely one is to have a melanoma. Fair skinned people of North European descent are more susceptible to the development of this deadly cancer. Black people can get melanoma, (which can be very aggressive), often on the palms of their hands, soles of their feet, or under their fingernails.

Recognizing the symptoms and seeking treatment early increases the rate of survival. Remember the ABCD’s of melanomas when checking your skin.

A is for asymmetry.

B is for irregular border.

C is for color variations.

D is for diameter, (usually greater than 3 mm, or the size of a pencil eraser).

E is for evolution. Moles stay constant, Melanomas change.

It is important to check for the spreading of pigment into the surrounding tissue as well as for itching, hardness, and scaling.

Protect yourself and your children from the damaging UV rays with; sunscreen, dark glasses, hats, and protective clothing. If one suffers one or more severe sunburns as a child or teenager, they are at higher risk. For more information, contact your physician, dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or visit www.melanoma.com.

Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Las Vegas Plastic Surgery

702-450-0777

www.jjrothmd.com

In October, 2009 a case was presented that made national news, as it was on Good Morning America.  The case was one of Nurse Rohie Kah-Orukotan.  She had liposuction performed in a spa where she got her nails done.  The Doctor, Omar Brito Marin is not a plastic surgeon.  He is listed as a family physician, who completed a residency in occupational health.  The procedure was done under local anesthesia.  The facility where he was performing the operation is not a licensed or certified surgery center.  It is against Florida state law to perform liposuction in an unlicensed facility.  It does not appear that an anesthesiologist was present.

At the end of the procedure the patient was noted to be unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse.

She was taken to a hospital and was found to be brain dead. 

Since that time, she died in the hospital.  The Weston Medspa has gone out of business.  The Florida Board of Medicine suspended the doctor’s license.  He had appealed the suspension, but has now changed his mind and surrendered his license last April.  The Florida Medical Board is expected to approve his decision and drop the disciplinary case against him.

Board certified plastic surgeons who are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons are required to perform their procedures in a certified surgery center.  While untoward events can happen to anyone, board certified plastic surgeons, with benefit of their training and expertise are usually more likely to identify and treat problems expeditiously, and in some cases identify potential problems.  Certified surgery centers usually have additional equipment and personal to respond in case of an untoward event.

She is survived by her husband and three small children.

References:

Doctor in fatal liposuction still doing cosmetic procedures: Sun-Sentinel.  March 3, 2010

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-brito-surgery-complaint-0304-20100303,0,1583182.story

Doctor in fatal Weston liposuction gives up medical license: Sun-Sentinel.  May 4, 2010

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/weston/fl-liposuction-brito-20100504,0,3195357.story