Embarrassing Bodies

Weston-super-Mare (4x2)

Air date: Feb 04, 2011

Kicking things off this week is Oisin, who is visiting the Embarrassing Bodies Clinic with a skin condition that causes tumours to appear all over his body. This condition is known as type 1 Neurofibromatosis, a rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. Around 300 babies are born with this condition in the UK every year but not all cases develop tumours, with many sufferers instead developing a large number of cafe-au-lait spots. The very large tumours that Oisin has developed are very rare and only happen in extreme cases of neurofibromatosis. Unfortunately, this condition has no cure but Dr Christian refers Oisin to a surgeon who can remove his tumours, but these will grow back over time. This operation is also not without its risks. The nerves can become damaged and blood loss is a real danger. Oisin decides to go through with the surgery to remove the larger ones around his face, back, head and chest and after a nine hour operation Oisin is over the moon with the results