Overview of the main methods of treatment of hemangiomas

The presence of hemangiomas often worries patients who come to the doctor with the question of whether it is necessary to treat and how the treatment is carried out. Hemangiomas are benign neoplasms of blood vessels, which in the early stages may be completely invisible and resemble a scratch or bruise. Hemangiomas can be superficial and mixed.

Because hemangiomas are benign and can resolve on their own, it is best not to interfere with this process. If necessary, the method of treatment of hemangiomas is individually selected.

When is the treatment of hemangiomas required? Types of treatment for hemangiomas

If children have hemangiomas, parents should be reassured of a favorable outcome and advised to visit a doctor periodically.

Regular examinations of hemangioma are needed to photograph the formation in order to identify its possible growth, as well as any changes in the focus.

It is important not to miss ulceration and secondary infection, especially if there are lesions in the anogenital area. 

Patients should be treated for hemangiomas in the following cases:

• Hemangiomas located in specific anatomical sites that may leave permanent scarring or deformity.
• Hemangiomas that threaten life and vital organs.
• Large facial hemangiomas that have a prominent dermal component and tend to leave permanent scarring.
• Small hemangiomas in open areas.
• Presence of ulceration on the hemangioma.
• The presence of a hemangioma on a stalk, after the involution of which remains fibrous – adipose tissue.

If necessary, the treatment of hemangiomas is carried out using different methods and groups of drugs. The main methods of treating hemangiomas know estet-portal.com. Consider the main types of treatment for vascular neoplasms.

Methods of treatment of hemangiomas:

• corticosteroids (focal and local);
• interferon alfa therapy;
• laser treatment;
• cryolysis;
• surgical exposure;
• pressure under occlusion;
• sclerosing injections;
• embolization;
• radiotherapy.

Main characteristics of hemangiomas treatment methods

Systemic corticosteroids. They are the first choice therapy if high-risk lesions exist. Treatment with corticosteroids should be carried out in the proliferative phase. The dose of prednisolone 2-4 mg / kg per day is maintained for 2 months, then gradually reduced.

Therapy with interferon alfa. This treatment is used in the presence of hemangiomas that threaten vital organs and are resistant to corticosteroid treatment. The initial dose is 1 million Ed/m² per day. Treatment continues for 3 months.

Laser therapy. Laser treatment of hemangiomas is indicated to slow or stop proliferation in the early stages of hemangiomas, as well as to prevent complications. Laser treatment of hemangiomas also improves the cosmetic appearance of residual telangiectasia lesions. For this, pulses with a power of 5.6 – 6 J/cm² within 5 – millimeter area. The intervals between treatments are reduced every week.

Surgical excision. Such treatment of hemangiomas is indicated in urgent cases when they interfere with the normal functioning of organs, as well as hemangiomas that are not amenable to the above described methods of treatment.

Pressure under occlusion. Treatment of hemangiomas in this way is used in the presence of large foci on the limbs. But the effect of the treatment has not been evaluated. A recent study showed healing of ulcerated hemangiomas after the application of a polyurethane film.

Sclerosing injections. Such procedures are indicated for deep-seated hemangiomas whose involution has not been completed.

Embolization is indicated in case of hepatic hemangiomas, Kazabakh's syndrome – Meritta or high-output heart failure.

Radiation therapy is used to treat hemangiomas that are life threatening – important functions when other treatments have failed.

The method of treatment of hemangiomas is selected individually for each patient, taking into account the characteristics of hemangiomas and the whole organism.