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Hemangioma is a benign tumor formed by the abnormal accumulation of blood vessels, which can appear in different parts of the body, but which is more common in the skin, in the face, neck, scalp and trunk, leading to the appearance swollen area with a reddish or purplish stain. However, hemangiomas can vary widely in size, shape and color.
According to the period in which it appears, hemangioma can be classified into:
- Congenital hemangioma: it is identified at birth or during pregnancy by means of ultrasound;
- Infantile hemangioma: appears in the first 2 weeks of life and can grow to the first year of age.
In most cases, the hemangioma gradually decreases after the first year of life and, therefore, no treatment is usually necessary, since the hemangioma does not cause major complications, nor does it become cancer.
Why does it happen?
The specific reason for the appearance of hemangiomas is not known, however, this alteration seems to be more frequent in girls, in premature babies and in cases in which the pregnant woman had to undergo invasive exams during pregnancy, such as biopsy of the placenta or aspiration of amniotic fluid , for example.
Main types of hemangioma
The main types of hemangioma include:
- Hemangioma in the liver: it is a type of benign tumor that appears in the liver and does not cause symptoms, being detected in routine exams. Better understand what hemangioma is in the liver and when it can be severe;
- Capillary hemangioma: it is the most common type of hemangioma and is usually located in the upper layer of the skin, causing the appearance of a bright red spot;
- Cavernous hemangioma: happens when there is a malformation of the blood vessels that causes the vessels to be more dilated than normal. It usually appears in deeper layers of the skin, causing swelling and a purple spot;
- Flat hemangioma: it is observed on the skin as flat burgundy patches that, from the age of 20, may increase, forming nodules that may bleed.
Generally, flat or cavernous hemangiomas are congenital, that is, the baby is born with them. Know other causes of red spot on the baby's skin.
Does hemangioma cause symptoms?
The only hemangioma that usually causes some type of symptom is the hemangioma that develops on the skin, since it leads to the appearance of a slightly swollen spot with a reddish or purple color.
On the other hand, hemangiomas that develop in organs, such as the liver and kidneys, or in the spine, for example, usually do not present any specific symptom, being identified when a routine examination is performed, such as ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. .
Although it is not serious and malignant transformation is rare, depending on where the hemangioma is located, there may be a compromise in the development of some functions and, therefore, it should always be evaluated by a doctor. When present near the eye, it can impair vision development, for example.
How the treatment is done
The treatment for hemangioma is almost always done only with the surveillance of the problem by the doctor, as it is common for the hemangioma to disappear on its own over time. In some cases, the doctor may recommend consulting another specialist, such as a hepatologist to evaluate and monitor the hemangioma in the liver, or the dermatologist, for hemangioma on the skin, for example.
Hemangioma surgery is recommended mainly when the tumor causes complications such as airway obstruction, when it interferes with vision or hearing, or when it makes it difficult for the heart to work, and it is necessary to remove excess vessels and relieve symptoms. In addition, surgery can also be used in some cases just to improve the aesthetic appearance.
Before surgery, the doctor may recommend treatments such as laser therapy or sclerotherapy, capable of reducing blood flow and eliminating some vessels, or the use of medications, such as corticosteroids or beta-blockers, which can decrease the proliferation of vessels, chosen depending on the characteristics each case.