Mikhail Gorbachev is dead. The former president of the Soviet Union was 91 years old. The world of politics remembered him, among others from the introduction of perestroika, the collapse of the USSR and rapprochement with the West. For many, however, the red spot on his forehead was the most characteristic and memorable one.
- Mikhail Gorbachev died on August 30, “after a long and serious” illness
- The last years of his life were marked by kidney problems and diabetes
- From childhood, however, he drew attention with an unusual birthmark on his forehead
- This is a vascular malformation, a non-cancerous lesion caused by a disorder in the development of the vessels
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Mikhail Gorbachev – president with the mark
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev was born on March 2, 1931. In 1985-1991 he was the Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, which made him the leader of this country. In 1990-91 he was the president of the USSR. On December 25, 1991, he resigned, and a day later the USSR was dissolved. Gorbachev died on August 30, 2022.
For years, a large nevus on Gorbachev’s forehead has attracted attention. A melanocytic nevus (proliferation, or multiplication of melanocytes) may be congenital malforation or acquired neoplasia (lesion). If it is congenital, it appears in the first two months of pregnancy.
In the case of Gorbachev we are dealing with an atypical (dysplastic) birthmark – it has an asymmetrical shape, an irregular edge and an above-standard size. In extreme cases, pigmented lesions can become malignant and turn into melanoma.
The politician never tried to hide these changes under his makeup, making it his hallmark.
Vascular malforation – what is it?
Vascular malformation is a non-cancerous vascular lesion that is caused by abnormal vascular development. Malformations arise in utero and occur in various forms: arteriovenous, capillary (capillary) venous, lymphatic and mixed.
Capillary malformation, once known as a squamous hemangioma, is most often located on the scalp and neck, but it can also appear on mucous membranes. These are clearly demarcated changes in color from pink to intense red.
The most distinctive lesion of this type is “port-wine stain” or “red wine stain”. That’s what Mikhail Gorbachev had.
Skin changes can be a symptom of many diseases. If you notice anything suspicious, be sure to contact your doctor. You can do it without leaving your home. On the haloDoctor.pl website, you can quickly and safely arrange an online teleconsultation with a dermatologist.
“The easiest test to assess the type of malformation, its extent and impact on adjacent structures is ultrasonography” – we read on the Facebook profile of the Pediatrics Center.
The most effective form of treatment of this type of lesion is laser therapy. Treatments are repeated many times, at intervals of 4-8 weeks. Effective therapy leads to a significant lightening or disappearance of even a highly pigmented vascular lesion.