What is the definition of Hemangioma?

A hemangioma is an abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs.

What are the alternative names for Hemangioma?

Cavernous hemangioma; Strawberry nevus; Birthmark - hemangioma

What are the causes for 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

What are the symptoms for Hemangioma?

Symptoms of a hemangioma are:

• A red to reddish-purple, raised sore (lesion) on the skin
• A massive, raised, tumor with blood vessels

Most hemangiomas are on the face and neck.

What are the current treatments for Hemangioma?

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.

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.

Taking beta-blocker medicines may also help reduce the size of a hemangioma.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for 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.

What are the possible complications for Hemangioma?

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

When should I contact a medical professional for Hemangioma?

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.

How do I prevent Hemangioma?

There is no known way to prevent hemangiomas.

REFERENCES

Habif TP. Vascular tumors and malformations. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 23.

Martin KL. Vascular disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 650.

Patterson JW. Vascular tumors. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2016:chap 38.