Hemangiomas are non-cancerous vascular tumors which usually appear in the first month after birth. Their
rapid growth can be very alarming to parents. This growth lasts between three to eight months, rarely longer. They generally
stay about the same size and color for six months to a year and a half before gradually fading and becoming smaller. This
improvement is called involution. Unfortunately, involution lasts anywhere from four to ten years. While hemangiomas improve
dramatically with time, they usually leave some residual reminder of the birthmark - a different skin texture or pigmentation.
If significant, surgery may be required.
Hemangiomas can cause a number of problems. The most common issue with hemangiomas is they can be very disfiguring,
particularly on a visible portion of the body. It is frequently very difficult for families to cope with the stares and comments
which can affect the child as well. Occasionally, they ulcerate and cause a wound or sore. These ulcerations can be very uncomfortable.
Trying to obtain good information about treatment for hemangiomas can be difficult and confusing. One reason
is that physicians recommend differing treatments - anything from no treatment to steroids, to interferon, to lasers, to surgery.
While each one has a place in the treatment of hemangiomas, some are much more reasonable for a particular type of hemangioma
or a specific location. For example, a non-visible hemangioma on the back often does not require treatment. The same hemangioma
on the face would. Steroids may be recommended. They can be helpful while hemangiomas are growing in reducing thickness, but
unfortunately do not affect redness.
While lasers are frequently suggested, they require multiple treatments and are only effective in reducing
redness with little impact on the thickness or size of the birthmark. Lasers are often over-utilized, although they can be
helpful particularly for flat, red hemangiomas. Surgical removal can often be done for certain types and locations of hemangiomas.
