Hemangioma: what is this tumor, and how to fight it?

Vascular anomaly caused by abnormal growth of blood vessels in the dermal layers of the skin and in internal organs is called hemangioma. What is this tumor, and how to treat it?

Hemangioma is a complicated disease and has not been studied to the end. From this pathology, up to 3% of the world's population is affected, regardless of their habitat and skin color. This is a benign education. However, it has the property of spreading unlimitedly, sometimes growing into vital organs, which is more typical 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 certain organs.

Pediatric hemangioma

According to statistics, 2-12% of newborns have hemangioma. What does this mean for parents, what measures should be taken? Everything depends on the size and location 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, it can complicate the child's breathing, cause improper development of the visual organs and cause inconvenience when eating. It is also dangerous rapid growth of the tumor in the genital area and the anus. If there is such a hemangioma - surgery to remove it is carried out as soon as possible.

The development of pediatric hemangioma takes place in three stages:

1. Fast growth. Occurs during 6-8 months, during which the tumor acquires a bright color. For superficial hemangiomas, red and crimson are characteristic, for deep-lying ones - cyanotic.
2. Involution. It lasts a long time - up to several years. The tumor shrinks in size, the skin color gradually fades. Hair growth in the affected area is disturbed: they will be rare or may be absent altogether.
3. The affected area acquires a natural color. Sometimes the hemangioma leaves behind stretched areas of the skin, which can later be removed.

Independently, up to 70% of children's hemangiomas disappear over time.

Congenital hemangioma - what is it?

This vascular pathology is completely formed at the birth of the child. The reasons for which it is laid when developing the fetus are not clear. Usually affects the surface cover, but sometimes develops in internal organs. It is 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 subsequent generations will necessarily have hemangioma.

What is this tumor, and how to diagnose it? With ultrasound, it is possible to detect the development of hemangiomas in the II-III trimesters of pregnancy. From other pathologies (eg, teratomas), it can be distinguished by applying color Doppler mapping. In 70% of cases it is diagnosed after the birth of the child. Small superficial hemangiomas can spontaneously disappear in the first years of life. Tumors of large sizes should be closely observed by a doctor.

Treatment

Methods of treatment are appointed after a thorough examination. They should be as safe and effective as possible. There are several ways to remove hemangioma:

• Cryodestruction. Cheap quick method. Outpatient procedure, used in the treatment of simple hemangiomas. After freezing over the tumor, a bubble remains, which can not be pierced. The healing takes about 2 weeks.
• Hormonal therapy. An effective method that allows you to quickly stop the growth of the tumor next to vital organs.
• Laser treatment. Effective and painless method. Well suited if the body has a large area of hemangioma. The laser penetrates into the altered vessels, and they are glued 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.