Hemangioma

Hemangioma

Hemangioma is a benign tumor formed by a collection of excess blood vessels. A hemangioma may be visible through the skin as a birthmark, known colloquially as a 'strawberry mark.' Most hemangiomas that occur at birth disappear after a few months or years. A hemangioma can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly appears on the face, scalp, chest or back.

Treatment of a hemangioma usually isn't needed, unless the nodule interferes with vision or breathing.

Types of Hemangiomas:

1. Capillary hemangiomas - They are made up of small capillaries which are normal in size and diameter and high in number. - When they develop on skin, they are called "superficial" - Blood vessels are closely (tightly) packed by a thin connective tissue. - They appear typically bright red in color due to the proximity to the skin. - They may appear flat / raised / protrude as a nodule / appear as a spongy mass (diffuse hemangioma/ angiomatosis)

2. Cavernous hemangiomas - They are made up of large blood vessels which are dilated. - When they develop on skin, they are called "deep" - Blood vessels are not closely packed and the spaces called "caverns" are filled with blood. - They appear as a bluish swelling under the skin. - Like capillary hemangioma they vary in size.

3. Compound hemangiomas

They are a mixture of capillary and cavernous hemangiomas

4. Lobular hemangiomas - They appear as small red bumps on hands, face and arms. - They are also called "pregnancy tumors" since they appear during pregnancy.

Infantile hemangioma

Infantile hemangiomas, are noncancerous growths of blood vessels. They’re the most common growths or tumors in children. They usually grow for a period of time and then subside without treatment. They don’t cause problems in most infants. However, some hemangiomas may open and bleed or ulcerate. This may be painful. Depending on their size and location, they may be disfiguring. Additionally, they may occur with other abnormalities of the central nervous system or spine. The growths may also occur with other internal hemangiomas. These affect internal organs such as the liver, other parts of the gastrointestinal system, the brain, or organs of the respiratory system. The hemangiomas that affect organs usually don’t cause problems.