Hemangioma or Malformation?

If you are concerned that your child may have any of these medical conditions, please see your physician. My medical expertise lies only in my own research and is far from complete.

Hemangiomas

Vascular Malformations

Hemangiomas are classified according to their location. They are deep, superficial or compound. They can also grow internally: GI tract, liver, kidneys, adrenals, brain and lungs.

Vascular malformations are classified according to the type of blood vessels involved.

Deep hemangiomas occur in lower dermis or subcutaneous tissue below the collagen layer.

Midline Venular (Capillary) malformations are flat macular stains such as 'stork bites', 'salmon patches', and 'angel kisses'. The very small veins (venules) of this lesion are always situated in the midline. These usually fade within the first year of life.

Superficial hemangiomas occur in the upper dermis above the collagen layer.

Venular malformations are known as portwine stains, and previously referred to as capillary malformations. The venules of this lesion are located in the superficial layer of the dermis.

Compound hemangiomas are a combination of both deep and superficial lesions.

Venous malformations are often erroneously referred to as cavernous hemangiomas. They are comprised of large dilated veins in the subcutaneous tissue.

Lymphatic malformations were previously known as lymphangioma, hemangiolymphangioma, and cystic hygroma. These lesions form from dilated lymph vessels.

Mixed malformations two or more types of vessels are affected with this lesion: arteriovenous, arteriovenous-capillary, venous-lymphatic, venous-lymphatic capillary, and venular venous malformations.

Hemangiomas

Vascular Malformations

Proliferation during the first year, hemangiomas alternate between growing and resting. During growth most become raised, shiny and bright red. Some, however, can be raised with no red or superficial component. Cells within the lesion multiply and form dense networks of tiny blood vessels.

Proliferation and Involution never occurs in vascular malformations. Instead, slow steady growth is normal.

Involution is the process of shrinking that begins about 1 year of age. The cells within the lesion lose their plumpness and deflate. The lesion turns a dark maroon-like hue.

Growth of these lesions is by hypertrophy (enlargement of vessels) rather than hyperplasia (increase in the number of cells).

Half of hemangiomas are slow regressors that may take 10-12 years to complete the involution cycle. Only 20 percent of slow regressors shrink completely.

In some (high-grade lesions) the rate of growth is more rapid. Other factors may stimulate periods of rapid growth such as infection, trauma and hormonal changes. Enlargement of the lesion is common at puberty and other periods of hormonal modulation. Infection and trauma may also result in sudden enlargement of a lymphatic malformation.

Hemangiomas

Vascular Malformations

Incidence of hemangiomas is 10-12 percent in infants by 1 year of age (in 23 percent of low birthweight babies). They are three to five times more common in females. They are more common in whites. Blacks and Asians have only a 0.2 percent incidence.

Incidence of vascular malformations shows no gender preference.
Venular malformations occur in 0.3 percent of births
Lymphatic malformations - Ninety percent are visible within two years after birth.

Sites:

80 percent occur on the head and neck.

20 percent occur on the trunk and extremities

Types:

80 percent are singular lesions

20 percent are multiple lesions

*** Infants with multiple lesions (three or more) should be examined for the possibility of internal lesions.***

Sites:

Midline venular (capillary) malformations usually occur in the head and neck area.

Venular malformations occur on the head and neck as the most common sites. Lips, tongue,buccal mucosa, buccal fat space and from upper lip to nasal vestibule are common.

Venous malformations commonly occur on the head or extremities.

Lymphatic malformations commonly occur in the head and neck area.

Mixed malformations can occur anywhere on the body.

If you are concerned that your child may have any of these medical conditions, please see your physician. My medical expertise lies only in my own research and is far from complete.
Hemangiomas	Vascular Malformations
Hemangiomas are classified according to their location. They are deep, superficial or compound. They can also grow internally: GI tract, liver, kidneys, adrenals, brain and lungs.	Vascular malformations are classified according to the type of blood vessels involved.
Deep hemangiomas occur in lower dermis or subcutaneous tissue below the collagen layer.	Midline Venular (Capillary) malformations are flat macular stains such as 'stork bites', 'salmon patches', and 'angel kisses'. The very small veins (venules) of this lesion are always situated in the midline. These usually fade within the first year of life.
Superficial hemangiomas occur in the upper dermis above the collagen layer.	Venular malformations are known as portwine stains, and previously referred to as capillary malformations. The venules of this lesion are located in the superficial layer of the dermis.
Compound hemangiomas are a combination of both deep and superficial lesions.	Venous malformations are often erroneously referred to as cavernous hemangiomas. They are comprised of large dilated veins in the subcutaneous tissue.
	Lymphatic malformations were previously known as lymphangioma, hemangiolymphangioma, and cystic hygroma. These lesions form from dilated lymph vessels.
	Mixed malformations two or more types of vessels are affected with this lesion: arteriovenous, arteriovenous-capillary, venous-lymphatic, venous-lymphatic capillary, and venular venous malformations.
Hemangiomas	Vascular Malformations
Proliferation during the first year, hemangiomas alternate between growing and resting. During growth most become raised, shiny and bright red. Some, however, can be raised with no red or superficial component. Cells within the lesion multiply and form dense networks of tiny blood vessels.	Proliferation and Involution never occurs in vascular malformations. Instead, slow steady growth is normal.
Involution is the process of shrinking that begins about 1 year of age. The cells within the lesion lose their plumpness and deflate. The lesion turns a dark maroon-like hue.	Growth of these lesions is by hypertrophy (enlargement of vessels) rather than hyperplasia (increase in the number of cells).
Half of hemangiomas are slow regressors that may take 10-12 years to complete the involution cycle. Only 20 percent of slow regressors shrink completely.	In some (high-grade lesions) the rate of growth is more rapid. Other factors may stimulate periods of rapid growth such as infection, trauma and hormonal changes. Enlargement of the lesion is common at puberty and other periods of hormonal modulation. Infection and trauma may also result in sudden enlargement of a lymphatic malformation.
Hemangiomas	Vascular Malformations
Incidence of hemangiomas is 10-12 percent in infants by 1 year of age (in 23 percent of low birthweight babies). They are three to five times more common in females. They are more common in whites. Blacks and Asians have only a 0.2 percent incidence.	Incidence of vascular malformations shows no gender preference. Venular malformations occur in 0.3 percent of births Lymphatic malformations - Ninety percent are visible within two years after birth.
Sites: 80 percent occur on the head and neck. 20 percent occur on the trunk and extremities Types: 80 percent are singular lesions 20 percent are multiple lesions * Infants with multiple lesions (three or more) should be examined for the possibility of internal lesions.*	Sites: Midline venular (capillary) malformations usually occur in the head and neck area. Venular malformations occur on the head and neck as the most common sites. Lips, tongue,buccal mucosa, buccal fat space and from upper lip to nasal vestibule are common. Venous malformations commonly occur on the head or extremities. Lymphatic malformations commonly occur in the head and neck area. Mixed malformations can occur anywhere on the body.