Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas are benign (non-cancerous) tumors of the blood vessels. They may or may not appear at birth, but always become visible within one to four weeks after birth. They usually occur on the head or neck, but they can occur anywhere, including the internal organs. Hemangiomas typically appear as one of the following:
- Herald spot – a pale white or gray-blue flat spot
- Telangiectatic spot – a flat patch of blood vessels under the skin’s surface
- A raised, red patch of varying size and shape
Hemangiomas have rapid growth phase that begins between four and eight months of age and plateaus between six and 12 months of age. After the plateau period, they begin to involute (shrink). This stage can last anywhere from three to 10 years.
Causes
Hemangiomas result when cells migrate with abnormal speed to the area of the tumor, creating large feeding and draining blood vessels as the hemangioma grows. Though experts don’t know what causes hemangiomas, we do know they occur in approximately seven percent of the population. They occur primarily in white children, and are more common in premature babies and females.
Associated Complications
Though hemangiomas typically disappear over time, some can interfere with a child's ability to function. A hemangioma on the eye, for example, can irreversibly damage a child's vision or a growth in the throat can affect a child's ability to breathe. Facial hemangiomas can be potentially disfiguring. Other risks include ulceration and bleeding.
Treatment
Many hemangiomas do not require intervention. They should, however, be examined frequently to indentify noticeable changes or problems. We offer several treatment options depending on the location and severity of the hemangioma:
- Oral steroid therapy
- Intralesional (injected) steroid therapy
- Vbeam laser therapy
- Surgical removal
Web Resources
National Organization of Vascular Anomalies
Information and Resources
For more information about hemangiomas, call Gillette’s Center for Craniofacial Services at 651-602-3277 or 800-719-4040 (toll-free).
To refer a patient, call 651-229-3944 or 800-719-4040 (toll-free).
