Can hemangiomas go untreated?

Written by Zhou Chen
Oncology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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The severity of harm varies with different types of hemangiomas, such as in adults with mixed-type hemangiomas. These can continually develop as the patient ages. If the affected areas expand further, they may extend to tissues and organs like the eyes, nose, lips, or ears. These organs might then become covered by the expanding vascular tissue, potentially causing impairments in functions such as breathing, eating, vision, and hearing. If hemangiomas appear on the limbs, they can also lead to dysfunction, affecting mobility. Therefore, it is advisable to seek treatment for hemangiomas as early as possible.

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Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
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Is it normal for a child to have hemangioma?

It is not normal for children to have hemangiomas. Hemangiomas are usually caused by congenital vascular malformations and may also be caused by hereditary factors resulting in true hemangiomas. However, regardless of the case, they are considered abnormal. Hemangiomas can be divided into two types: true hemangiomas and vascular malformations. True hemangiomas have a certain possibility of self-healing, so parents can temporarily observe. If the child does not heal by themselves after the age of five, timely treatment should be administered. Once a vascular malformation occurs, if it is not treated, it may persist throughout life. If it grows in some inconspicuous places on the skin surface, treatment may not be necessary. However, hemangiomas in the internal organs should receive enough attention and be treated as soon as possible.

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Written by Li Chang Yue
General Surgery
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Do hemangiomas differentiate between benign and malignant?

Hemangiomas are a type of tumor commonly seen in clinical settings, generally not classified as benign or malignant because most hemangiomas are benign without malignant variants. Therefore, for patients diagnosed with hemangiomas, surgical removal may be considered if there is an impact on function or aesthetic appearance. Typically, treatment options for hemangiomas include surgical removal, the application of local sclerosing agents, or practices such as embolization. This is particularly true for visceral organs, such as liver and spleen hemangiomas, where interventional embolization can be utilized, yielding satisfactory results with minimal damage.

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Written by Li Chang Yue
General Surgery
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Is a hemangioma initially a red spot?

Hemangiomas indeed start as a red dot, and as the condition worsens or the hemangioma grows, some may gradually form patch-like appearances or well-demarcated lumps that rise above the skin. A primary characteristic is that the color of the hemangioma disappears when pressed, and the skin color lightens. When the external pressure is reduced or released, the hemangioma refills with blood and turns dark red or purple-red. This characteristic is very important for the diagnosis of hemangiomas. Therefore, patients with hemangiomas must seek early and timely consultation, examination, and treatment in dermatology (cosmetic science) or surgery.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Which department should a baby with hemangioma see?

The department for treating infantile hemangioma should be determined based on the location, size, and severity of the hemangioma. If the hemangioma is located on the surface of the body, it is generally appropriate to consult the department of plastic and cosmetic surgery. If the hemangioma is on the face, the oral medicine department should be visited. If the hemangioma is around the eyes, then the ophthalmology department should be consulted. If the hemangioma is internal or if there are other concurrent tumorous diseases, it may be necessary to visit the pediatric hematology-oncology department or the corresponding surgical department. This would be the most appropriate and correct choice.

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Written by Zhang Cui Xiang
Pediatrics
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Best treatment time for infantile hemangioma

The optimal time to treat hemangiomas in infants is generally around the age of one year, as the vascular circulation becomes visible as bright red birthmarks on the baby's body. These types of hemangiomas are cutaneous and can be effectively cured through laser treatment in early childhood. The earlier the treatment is applied, the better the outcome; the effectiveness diminishes over time. If the hemangioma does not affect the infant's appearance and is relatively small, treatment can be postponed. It is advisable to choose the timing of treatment based on the specific circumstances of the infant. If the hemangioma is large, it is recommended to seek timely laser surgery treatment at a reputable tertiary hospital.