Boy, 11, has moles covering his WHOLE body because of a one-in-50,000 condition that caused him to develop a deadly brain tumour

An 11-year-old boy who is covered in hairy moles because of a rare condition nearly died after it also caused him to develop a brain tumour.

Lucas Starr, from Alaska, suffers from giant congenital melanocytic nevus (GCMN), which causes dark-coloured, often hairy, patches of skin to develop in just one in every 50,000 children.

The condition led to Lucas developing hydrocephalus - a build-up of fluid in the brain - as well as neurocutaneous melanocytosis, which resulted in his tumour.

The youngster was rushed to hospital earlier this year after he had a seizure at home. Doctors later discovered his brain tumour, which they removed in Lucas' 30th operation.

Despite enduring bullying at school and cruel stares from strangers, Lucas refuses to let his condition hold him back and dreams of one day becoming a professional racing driver.

'The Nevus is all over me,' Lucas said. 'It means I can get brain masses easier and that can lead to more serious problems.'

After having a seizure and being rushed to hospital, doctors removed his brain tumour, which was small and not yet cancerous.

Lucas' father Devon Starr, 35, said: 'They pulled a very small square bone from his skull. As soon as they removed it, they could see it. They didn't have to go in too deep thankfully.

'But it was all so tough. What happens in the ICU, stays in the ICU. I'm just so pleased he had his father there to pull him through.'

Lucas is no stranger to hospitals, with his hydrocephalus meaning he requires check-ups every three-to-six months.
Mr Starr and his wife Whitney, 33, first realised something was wrong when Lucas was born looking like 'burnt charcoal'.

They have since learned he probably developed GCMN in the first eight-to-14 weeks in the womb.

'When he was born, doctors didn't know what he had,' Mrs Starr said. 'Basically, he looked like charcoal burnt.'

The couple later discovered the condition was causing lesions that were covering some of Lucas' brain and spine, with him requiring his first surgery at just three months old.

Although it has been difficult, Lucas' parents say they are 'so proud' of him and even see him as a 'reason to live'.

'We just enjoy every second with him,' Mr Starr said. 'Maybe because of what's going on with him or maybe not.

'I just see it as more of a reason to live life and just breathe that into him as much as we can.'

Mrs Starr added: 'We are so proud of Lucas. We are so amazed with him every single day.'

Despite his positive outlook, Lucas struggles with bullying and being stared at.

'Whilst I'm out in public, I don't like when people stare at me,' he said. 'I don't know what they are thinking about me and the way I look and stuff.

'Some of the time, I don't enjoy going to school because kids bully me. I don't know why, because I'm the same as everyone else. I just look different.

'But I don't let it stop me from doing anything. I can do everything that a normal kid can do. I just have some roadblocks here and there.'

His mother also finds the bullying difficult but describes Lucas as a 'fighter'.

'Since he was born, people always stare at him,' she said. 'They don't understand. They think they can catch it or something.

'It's hurtful and traumatising for children when they get made fun of.'

But, she added: 'Lucas is a strong-willed kid. He came out as a fighter and I think he will go out that way too.'

Source: The Daily Mail

Photos: Adam Gray/Barcroft Images

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