Do hemangiomas differentiate between benign and malignant?

Written by Li Chang Yue
General Surgery
Updated on December 25, 2024
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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 Zhou Chen
Oncology
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How is hemangioma treated?

Currently, common methods used for the treatment of hemangiomas include medication, laser therapy, and surgical treatment. There is no single method that can treat all types of hemangiomas. The choice of treatment should be based on factors such as the type, location, depth of the tumor, and the patient's age. Common methods include surgical removal, radiation therapy, cryosurgery, sclerotherapy injections, and laser treatment. The principles of treatment are: first, to prevent or treat serious life-threatening and functional complications; second, to prevent deformities or facial defects after the regression of the hemangioma; third, to prevent ulcers and infections, and for patients who have ulcers, to promote ulcer healing, reduce scarring, and alleviate pain; fourth, to reduce the psychological stress on the child and their family; fifth, to avoid overtreatment of lesions that can regress on their own and have a good prognosis.

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Written by Zhou Chen
Oncology
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Is a hemangioma a tumor?

Hemangiomas are formed by the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells during embryonic development and are commonly seen in congenital benign tumors or vascular malformations of the skin and soft tissues, mostly observed at birth or shortly after birth. The residual embryonic vascular endothelial cells, active endothelial-like embryonic buds invade adjacent tissues, forming endothelial-like cords, which after canalization connect with existing blood vessels to form hemangiomas. The blood vessels within the tumor form a separate system, not connected to surrounding blood vessels. Hemangiomas can occur throughout the body; those occurring in the oral and maxillofacial regions account for 60% of all hemangiomas, followed by 25% in the trunk and 15% in the limbs. Therefore, some hemangiomas are congenital benign tumors, while others are caused by vascular malformations.

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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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Written by Zhou Chen
Oncology
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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 Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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Why do children develop hemangiomas?

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.