HEMANGIOMA

Hemangiomas are non-cancerous vascular tumors which usually appear in the first month after birth. Their rapid growth can be very alarming to parents. This growth lasts between three to eight months, rarely longer. They generally stay about the same size and color for six months to a year and a half before gradually fading and becoming smaller. We call this improvement involution. Unfortunately, involution lasts anywhere from four to ten years. While hemangiomas improve dramatically with time, they usually leave some residual reminder of the birthmark - a different skin texture or pigmentation. If significant, surgery may be required.

Hemangiomas can cause a number of problems. The most common issue with hemangiomas is they can be very disfiguring, particularly on a visible portion of the body. It is frequently very difficult for families to cope with the stares and comments which can affect the child as well. Occasionally, they ulcerate and cause a wound or sore. These ulcerations can be very uncomfortable. When near the eye, hemangiomas can cause astigmatism or interfere with eyelid opening, which may affect the child's ability to develop vision in that eye. A very small percentage of hemangiomas may cause more problems, such as respiratory obstruction, heart failure, or blood clotting difficulties.

Trying to obtain good information about treatment for hemangiomas can be difficult and confusing. One reason is that physicians recommend differing treatments - anything from no treatment to steroids, to interferon, to lasers, to surgery. While each one has a place in the treatment of hemangiomas, some are much more reasonable for a particular type of hemangioma or a specific location. For example, a non-visible hemangioma on the back often does not require treatment. The same hemangioma on the face would. Steroids may be recommended. They can be helpful while hemangiomas are growing in reducing thickness, but unfortunately do not affect redness.

While lasers are frequently suggested, they require multiple treatments and are only effective in reducing redness with little impact on the thickness or size of the birthmark. Lasers are often over-utilized, although they can be helpful particularly for flat, red hemangiomas. Surgical removal can often be done for certain types and locations of hemangiomas. This type of surgery is usually done without the need for overnight hospitalization. Several examples of hemangiomas can be viewed below.

If you have additional questions, or wish more information regarding these or other anomalies, please contact us at info@hopeforkids.com.

BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES

View some animated "before and after" shots below. To see the "after" shot position your cursor over the image and the "after" shot will automatically come into view (there is no need to click).

hemangioma, vascular tumor, hemangioma surgery

cleft lip and cleft palate
craniosynostosis(abnormal head shape)
orthognathics (jaw deformities)
microtia (partial or total absence of an ear)
hemangiomas (vascular tumors)
hairy nevus
birth marks, burns and hand deformities.

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