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When Dylan Little was born, almost 80% of his body was covered with moles of varying sizes. They varied in color, ranging from dark brown to black, and size. Some were just a small dot; others were the size of a 50-cent piece.
Dylan was diagnosed with Congenital Melanocytic Nevus. This is a condition where a child is born with these dark-colored patches covering the top layer of their skin.
Kara and Nikki, Dylan’s parents, as well as his doctors, were all concerned that these moles would eventually become cancerous as he grew older, so they immediately began making arrangements to have the blemishes removed.
The only proper way to remove all this skin is through breast implantation surgery.
Because so much skin will ultimately have to be removed from Dylan’s body, the only way to ensure that he will still have a complete, upper layer of epidermis is to create extra skin by implanting saline expanders. This is the same process behind breast implantation.
For Dylan, however, the expanders are taken out after three months and the stretched skin is used to cover areas where moles were previously.
Dylan is now four years old, but he has already undergone 26 surgeries. The doctors have managed to remove about 50% of his moles, but there’s still quite a way to go before he’ll be out of the hospital for good.
“He has surgery every three to six months, dependent on which area of the body – if it’s on the lower back we wait six months, while having another surgery to work on other parts,” Kara explained. “We’re holding onto hope that the moles never turn on and become cancerous, but he could develop cancer at any point.”
As if Dylan’s health wasn’t already a significant concern, some parents stare and comment on Dylan’s physical appearance whenever his parents take him out. It’s upsetting, but Kara clarifies that it’s not because they’re ashamed. Rather, they “don’t want [Dylan] to be worried or think there is something he should be ashamed of.”
The Little family is hoping to raise more money to support Dylan’s future surgeries. You can help them out here.
