Can a vascular mole (haemangioma) be treated?

Can a vascular mole (haemangioma) be treated?

Hemangioma is a bright red birthmark that appears at birth or in the first or second week of life. Hemangioma is one of the most common benign tumors in babies and is detected in 5-10%. The exact reason is not known. It resembles a rubber lump and consists of extra blood vessels in the skin.

What is the best treatment, the best option for hemangioma? Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist Associate Professor Onur Gürer explains the treatment options for hemangioma as follows:

  • Beta blocker drugs: Recently, oral beta-blockers and sclerotherapy have come to the fore. It is useful to apply oral beta-blocker containing syrup or tablet at an early age. A severe infantile hemangioma may disappear if treated with an oral propranolol solution. Treatment should usually be continued until approximately 1 year of age.
    ⦁    Sclerosing substance injection (sclerotherapy): Sclerotherapy plays an active role in many cases. Sclerotherapy is applied by injecting a special medicine into the lesion with the help of a thin needle. It is used alone or in combination with methods such as radiation and laser, especially in the treatment of cavernous hemangiomas (which extend from the surface of the skin to the depths), especially in patients over the age of two for whom propranolol is not effective.
    ⦁    Topical Beta-Blockers: For small, superficial hemangiomas, a drug-containing gel can be applied to the affected skin. It is important to use it correctly.
    ⦁    Corticosteroid Medications: Corticosteroids may be an option for children who do not respond to or cannot use beta blocker treatments. It can be injected into the nodule or applied to the skin.
    ⦁    Laser Treatment: Sometimes laser surgery can destroy a small, thin hemangioma or treat scars in a hemangioma.
    ⦁    Medicated Gel: The medicated gel used in this method is expensive. Chronic ulcerated hemangiomas can be treated. You should consult your doctor for side effects.
    ⦁    Surgical: If its size is small, it is possible to remove it with a minor operation.

Conclusion : With a simple treatment, it is possible to shrink hemangiomas as much as possible and make them less noticeable. Most hemangiomas regress. In some children, regression may be delayed. Regression to normal skin appearance can be observed in nearly half of the patients. If children with hemangioma are prone to complications or if the hemangioma causes psychological problems due to its appearance, early treatment is the best option.