Causes and Treatment of Infantile Hemangiomas

Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
Updated on November 17, 2024
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Infantile hemangiomas are usually caused by congenital factors, and the pathogenesis and specific causes of hemangiomas are not very clear at the moment.

Since there is a certain possibility that infantile hemangiomas can heal on their own, if the hemangioma's location is not very noticeable and not particularly significant, it is advisable to initially observe it. If the hemangioma has not healed on its own by the time the child turns five, consideration can be given to treat it with sclerosing injections or through surgery. If the hemangioma is located in an internal organ and does not severely affect the child's health under normal circumstances, it could still be quite dangerous if it bursts. Therefore, parents should give it enough attention.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is a hemangioma in the nose dangerous?

Nasal hemangiomas are primarily caused by congenital or acquired vascular malformations. The risks associated with them include the following points: First, the vessel walls of hemangiomas are imperfect and prone to bleeding. Excessive bleeding can lead to hemorrhagic shock. Furthermore, significant bleeding can cause blood to flow back into the respiratory tract, leading to coughing fits and even the risk of suffocation. Second, although hemangiomas are benign in nature, a few of them possess the biological characteristic of expansive growth. This characteristic can damage surrounding tissues, such as destroying the wall of the vessel and the structure of the tumor, thereby exhibiting malignant-like biological behavior. Therefore, active treatment is necessary.

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Are hemangiomas dangerous?

The hazards of hemangiomas include: First, they impact appearance. Most hemangiomas are located on the head and face, severely affecting one's appearance and causing great physical and emotional harm to both the patient and their family. Second, they affect function by invading surrounding tissues and impairing the normal functions of nearby organs. Third, the tumor can bleed, and severe bleeding may lead to hemorrhagic shock. Fourth, abnormal development, as the tumor compresses surrounding normal tissues, can lead to developmental disorders, affecting bone growth and causing severe deformities in limbs. Fifth, ulceration can occur when the hemangioma grows too quickly or due to friction, leading to ulcers and infections, and potentially malignant changes. Therefore, hemangiomas can be quite dangerous.

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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 Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What should be done about infantile hemangiomas?

If an infant has a hemangioma, it is first necessary to assess the location and size of the hemangioma. Currently, the main treatments for hemangioma include: Firstly, oral medications such as Xin De An, which is commonly used for cardiovascular issues, can gradually reduce the size of the hemangioma. Although it is an oral medication, it is essential to conduct electrocardiograph and echocardiogram examinations before taking the medication, and the treatment should be carried out under the guidance of a hospital doctor, followed by regular observation. Secondly, topical application of certain eye drops may gradually reduce smaller hemangiomas. Thirdly, surgical treatment is used for particularly large hemangiomas to completely eliminate them. Another method is to treat older children with laser or plasma therapy; this is generally performed when the child is older, and the local treatment is quite effective.

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The difference between lipomas and hemangiomas

Lipomas and hemangiomas are not the same disease and are not directly related. Lipomas generally occur in superficial parts of the body, sometimes in the muscle layer. Lipomas typically have a complete capsule and exhibit a lobulated shape. They are usually soft, and patients do not exhibit obvious local symptoms. On the other hand, hemangiomas often occur in solid organs, including liver hemangiomas, spleen hemangiomas, and kidney hemangiomas. Hemangiomas can also appear in superficial areas, such as the skin where they can form strawberry-like lesions, causing discomfort due to their appearance. However, most hemangiomas do not tend to enlarge and are benign, requiring no special treatment.