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Tumors: Hemangiomas
Sometimes present at birth, a hemangioma will usually appear during the first four months of life. It is the most common tumor of infancy, and is non-cancerous. A child born with a hemangioma is more likely to be female, premature, or born as a twin or triplet.
A hemangioma is a collection of blood vessels that has grown out of control, forming a raised, red birthmark. It is typically solitary, with the appearance of a strawberry or raspberry rising from the skin. Deeper lesions may have a bluish color.
Although about 50 percent of the time, hemangiomas gradually disappear (often by the age of five), early evaluation and treatment consideration is necessary. Complications such as bleeding and ulceration, disfigurement, or interference with vision or breathing indicate medical and surgical intervention.
Fortunately, there are a variety of treatment options to eliminate these growths. Used alone, or sometimes in combination, the treatment methods include blocking blood flow from the area to reduce the size of the growth, destroying hemangioma vessels with yellow laser treatment while preserving the skin, giving oral or injected corticosteroids to decrease inflammation, or injecting bleomycin into the lesion itself. The medications interferon and/or vincristine may also help if steroids are ineffective.
In cases requiring surgical removal, all related tissue is removed to reduce chance of re-growth, and then the area is carefully shaped and smoothed to improve appearance. In rare instances, hemangiomas may grow back to some extent, requiring follow-up surgery.