Hemangiomas are noncancerous growths (tumors) that are made up of blood vessels. There are many different types of hemangiomas and they can occur on the skin, muscle, bone, or internal organs. Hemangiomas are the most common type of noncancerous tumor in children.
Types of hemangiomas include:
Capillary hemangiomas: The most common type made up of small capillaries normal in size but high in number. Typically bright red
Cavernous hemangiomas: Made up of larger, dilated blood vessels. May appear as a bluish swelling under the skin
Compound hemangiomas: a mix of different types
Lobular capillary hemangiomas (pyogenic hemangioma): Small red bumps that appear on the hands, face, and arms. Bleed easily and often appear during pregnancy.
Infantile Hemangiomas
These typically appear on or just under the skin within one to three weeks after birth. They may start off as a faint birthmark on the skin that over a baby’s first two to four months brightens in color and increases in size. This is called the proliferative phase.
The next phase is called the involution phase and during this time the hemangioma starts to fade and shrink. Most are gone by the time a child is aged three to five, although some may leave residual areas of extra skin or small blood vessels called telangiectasias.
Infantile hemangiomas are common, appearing in 4-10% of Caucasian infants. Premature infants and girl babies are more likely than males or Asian infants to develop one. They are rare in African-American babies.
There are three main types of infantile hemangiomas:
Superficial hemangioma: Often referred to as a “strawberry mark”, these are the most common type. Can be confined to one place or spread over a larger area. Usually bright red and may have a textured surface.
Deep hemangioma. These appear bruise-like or bluish in color and are usually only diagnosed once swelling becomes apparent.
Combination hemangioma: These are located under the skin but have a superficial or cutaneous stain on the skin’s surface.
Some children have multiple hemangiomas (up to several hundred). Those with more than five are at increased risk for organ involvement; the liver is commonly affected. Some hemangiomas can also affect the airways.
How are Hemangiomas Treated?
Most hemangiomas do not require any treatment because they rarely become cancerous; however, some people may seek treatment for cosmetic reasons. Some children’s hospitals specialize in the management of infantile hemangiomas and arguably offer the best advice about treatment.
Treatment does not involve surgery in most circumstances, although surgery may be considered for hemangiomas that are deep in the muscle or bone, or if growths on the skin cause problems with vision, breathing or eating.
Pharmacological treatments that may be considered for hemangiomas include oral or topical beta-blockers or corticosteroids.
Drugs used to treat Hemangioma
The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity
Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx
Prescription only.
OTC
Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC
Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label
This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA
An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access
Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N
FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M
The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U
CSA Schedule is unknown.
N
Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1
Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2
Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3
Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X
Interacts with Alcohol.
Further information
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