A vascular anomaly caused by abnormal proliferation of blood vessels in the dermal layers of the skin and in the internal organs is called hemangioma. What is this tumor, and how to treat it?
Hemangioma is a complex disease and has not yet been fully studied. From this pathology affects up to 3% of the world's population, regardless of habitat and skin color. This is a benign formation. However, it tends to spread indefinitely, sometimes growing into vital organs, which is more characteristic of malignant tumors. In addition to psychological discomfort from spoiling the appearance of spots, it can cause pain and interfere with the normal functioning of some organs.
Pediatric hemangioma
According to statistics, 2-12% of newborns have hemangioma. What does this mean for parents, what measures should be taken? It all depends on the size and localization of the formations. Usually, vascular pathologies in newborns occur in the first weeks after birth in the neck and face. If they are located in the area of the eyes, mouth and nasal passages, they can complicate the child’s breathing, cause abnormal development of the visual organs and cause inconvenience when eating food. Rapid tumor growth in the genital area and anal opening is also dangerous. If there is such a hemangioma, the operation to remove it is carried out as soon as possible.
The development of childhood hemangiomas takes place in three stages:
- Fast growth. It occurs within 6-8 months, during which the tumor acquires a bright color. For superficial hemangiomas, red and crimson color is characteristic, for deeply located - cyanotic.
- Involution. It lasts a long time - up to several years. The tumor is reduced in size, the skin color gradually turns pale. Hair growth in the affected area is impaired: they will be rare or may be absent altogether.
- The affected area takes on a natural color. Sometimes hemangioma leaves behind stretched skin areas that can be removed later.
Up to 70% of children's hemangiomas disappear on their own over time.
Congenital hemangioma - what is it?
This vascular pathology is fully formed at birth. The reasons why it is laid during the development of the fetus are not clarified. Usually affects the superficial integument, but sometimes develops in the internal organs. More common in girls than in boys. There are families in which births of children with such a problem are not uncommon. But this does not mean that future generations will necessarily have a hemangioma.
What is this tumor, and how to diagnose it? An ultrasound examination reveals the development of hemangiomas in the II-III trimesters of pregnancy. It can be distinguished from other pathologies (for example, teratomas) using color Doppler mapping. In 70% of cases, it is diagnosed after the birth of the baby. Small superficial hemangiomas can spontaneously disappear in the first years of life. Large tumors should be closely monitored by a physician.
Treatment
Treatment methods are prescribed after a thorough examination. They should be as safe and effective as possible. There are several ways to remove hemangioma:
- Cryodestruction. Cheap fast method. An outpatient procedure used in the treatment of simple hemangiomas. After freezing, a bubble remains over the tumor that cannot be pierced. Healing takes about 2 weeks.
- Hormone therapy. An effective method that allows you to quickly stop the growth of a tumor near vital organs.
- Laser treatment. An effective and painless method. It is well suited if the body has a large hemangioma. The laser penetrates into the altered vessels, and they stick together. After resorption of the tumor, there are no traces on the skin.
- Surgical intervention. It is used to remove deeply located tumors, when other methods of treatment are ineffective.