Learn About Hemangioma
A hemangioma is an abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs.
Infantile hemangioma; Cavernous hemangioma; Strawberry nevus; Birthmark - hemangioma
About one third of hemangiomas are present at birth. The rest appear in the first several months of life.
The hemangioma may be:
- In the top skin layers (capillary hemangioma)
- Deeper in the skin (cavernous hemangioma)
- A mixture of both
Symptoms of a hemangioma are:
- A red to reddish-purple, raised growth on the skin
- A massive, raised, bluish tumor with visible blood vessels
Most hemangiomas are on the head, neck, or extremities.
The majority of small or uncomplicated hemangiomas may not need treatment. They often go away on their own and the appearance of the skin returns to normal. Sometimes, a laser may be used to remove the small blood vessels.
Taking beta-blocker medicines may also help reduce the size of a hemangioma.
Cavernous hemangiomas that involve the eyelid and block vision can be treated with lasers or steroid injections to shrink them. This allows vision to develop normally. Large cavernous hemangiomas or mixed hemangiomas may be treated with steroids, taken by mouth or injected into the hemangioma.
UChicago Medicine
Duchossois Center For Advanced Medicine (DCAM) - Hyde Park
Issam Awad is a Neurosurgery doctor in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Awad has been practicing medicine for over 42 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Hemangioma. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Cerebral Cavernous Malformation, Hemangioma, Stroke, and Brain Aneurysm. He is licensed to treat patients in Illinois. Dr. Awad is currently accepting new patients.
University Neurosurgery
Janne Koskimaki is in Turku, Finland. Koskimaki is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hemangioma. She is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Cerebral Cavernous Malformation, Hemangioma, Stroke, and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.
Division Of Oncology
Yi Ji is in Chengdu, China. Ji is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hemangioma. They are also highly rated in 21 other conditions, according to our data. Their top areas of expertise are Hemangioma Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma, Hemangioendothelioma, and Hemangioma.
Small superficial hemangiomas will often disappear on their own. About one half go away by age 5, and almost all disappear by age 7.
These complications can occur from a hemangioma:
- Bleeding (especially if the hemangioma is injured)
- Problems with breathing and eating
- Psychological problems, from skin appearance
- Secondary infections and sores
- Visible changes in the skin
- Vision problems
All birthmarks, including hemangiomas, should be evaluated by your provider during a regular exam.
Hemangiomas of the eyelid that may cause problems with vision must be treated soon after birth. Hemangiomas that interfere with eating or breathing also need to be treated early.
Call your provider if a hemangioma is bleeding or develops a sore.
There is no known way to prevent hemangiomas.
Published Date : November 04, 2020
Published By : Elika Hoss, MD, Senior Associate Consultant, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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