Why do children develop hemangiomas?

Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
Updated on December 18, 2024
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Pediatric hemangiomas are strictly considered a benign condition within vascular malformations. There are various causes, often due to arteriovenous malformations in children during prenatal development, especially due to abnormal proliferation of blood vessel cells during embryonic development, resulting in hemangiomas after birth. As the child ages, the hemangioma tends to grow larger. Additionally, some hemangiomas are caused by trauma in children. During this period, children's skin and mucous membranes are relatively delicate, leading to hemangiomas due to local stimulation of the capillaries by injuries. Therefore, it is best to classify hemangiomas through examination at a reputable hospital. If the hemangioma is located in a particularly sensitive area, early intervention and treatment are necessary.

Other Voices

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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What should I do if there is a hemangioma on my tongue?

Hemangioma is a benign tumor that occurs in blood vessels, and the specific etiology and pathogenesis are not clear clinically. The tongue is a common site for hemangiomas. For hemangiomas on the tongue, it is necessary to comprehensively assess based on the type of hemangioma, location, depth of tissue invasion, the proximity to surrounding tissues, and the patient’s own physical condition, among other factors, to determine the most beneficial treatment method. Currently, the clinical treatments for hemangiomas include surgical treatment, radiation therapy, local sclerotherapy, laser treatment, or pharmacotherapy. Currently, there is no single clinical method that can completely treat all types of hemangiomas. For hemangiomas on the tongue that do not affect the overall function of the tongue, conservative treatment can be considered. For hemangiomas that have caused tongue ulcers, medication can be given to protect the mucous membrane of the tongue and promote faster healing of the ulcers.

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Written by Zhou Chen
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Can hemangiomas go untreated?

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 Li Chang Yue
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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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How to determine if a red spot is a hemangioma

In clinical settings, to determine whether red spots on the skin are hemangiomas, it is advised to visit a hospital and seek the expertise of an oncologist or a dermatologist specializing in vascular surgery for proper diagnosis. For small red spots on the skin, one can apply local pressure to see if the redness fades, returning to a normal skin color, which could indicate that the spots are hemangiomas. Hemangiomas are relatively common benign vascular tumors. In most cases, they do not cause symptoms clinically and are due to endothelial cell abnormalities in the vessels. Symptoms such as pain might occur only when the hemangioma is large enough to cause compression.

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How to determine if a hemangioma is regressing

Clinically, hemangiomas are a type of benign tumor that mostly require medication, surgery, or local treatments to regress. In rare cases, hemangiomas can regress spontaneously, especially when they are small and the underlying cause of the hemangioma has been removed. Then, the color of the hemangioma may change from its original dark red to a bright red, and gradually change to a color similar to that of normal skin, indicating that the hemangioma has regressed. Clinically, depending on the impact of the hemangioma on the patient, treatment options can include medication, local microwave therapy, laser treatments, or surgical removal.