A TODDLER has finally had her “Batman” birthmarks removed after two years of treatment with Russian physicians.
They claim Luna Tavares-Fenner, two, was cured of the birthmark using cutting-edge medical techniques not available in the United States, where she lives.
She will now fly home for the holidays and return in the new year for cosmetic surgery.
“Luna has already started speaking, and she says: ‘My black spot has gone,’” said Dr. Pavel Popov, who treated Luna. ‘I am a princess,’ she says.
Luna was born with congenital melanocytic nevus, which has left a dark blotch on her face since birth.
Caroline Fenner, 37, and Thiago Tavares, 33, cherished their “beautiful” daughter.
But they added Luna got her “fair share of looks, stares, murmurs and finger-pointing”, with one harsh woman calling her a “monster”.
Luna’s increased risk of skin cancer prompted her parents to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Her birthmark may increase her chance of the most deadly type of skin cancer, melanoma.
Melanoma associated with these huge birthmarks is difficult to cure, and the survival rate is low, according to MedlinePlus. It has a higher risk of developing during childhood.
Caroline stated that she was confronted with a difficult decision to bring Luna to Russia and undertake the therapies, with many telling her she was “crazy” to travel all that far and undergo the costly treatments.
“I wanted to avoid the severe operations that I was seeing with the other surgeons in the US,” she explained.
Caroline and Thiago raised $69,700 (£52,800) for their daughter’s treatment in Krasnodar, a Russian city near Ukraine.
They also obtained the backing of an unidentified Russian donor who they called “miracle”.
“We just had six operations to remove the nevus and have succeeded in making it disappear,” Dr. Popov revealed this week.
“The main medical portion of the assignment has been completed. This does not imply that we have completed treatment.
“We are letting Luna rest from the treatment she has endured and then we will perform the aesthetic procedures.
“Later, we hope to ensure that Luna does not develop any complexes when she reaches the age where she is concerned about her beauty.”
Dr Popov had no difficulty in claiming the treatment was a “success” and he is “totally delighted with the result”.
“Luna is really loyal to us,” he stated.
“There is frequently hostility toward medical personnel. Doctors frighten children.
“However, Luna always brings her dolls to the session and requests that I treat their faces.
“I put a plaster on the doll’s face. Luna is pleased that the doll is also being cared for.
“I suppose the lack of pain in the treatment enables her to be so devoted.”
Dr. Popov stated that it is unclear how long the aesthetic component of Luna’s therapy will take because to challenges such as the epidemic and visas.
Relieved “Luna is well now,” Caroline remarked. Her bandages have been removed.
“We’re planning to jet abroad for Christmas and return back for the final cosmetic operations at the end of January.
“I have no regrets about receiving the treatment here. Luna is unaffected by the agony. A few hours after the surgery, she dances.”
Laser and shave excision are two procedures used to treat congenital melanocytic nevus.
According to the NHS, Luna had photodynamic therapy, a technique that incorporates light-sensitive drugs and a light source to eliminate aberrant cells.
Carolina, a Brazilian-born US citizen, is “very delighted” and speaks to other mothers having various therapies in the US.
“I spoke to a lot of mothers undertaking standard operations in the US and they are more prone to infections.
“The children spend a long period in the hospital and are sedated.
