A haemangioma is a type of benign (noncancerous) tumor that grows from blood vessels that forms a lump under the skin.
It is the most common type of birthmark in infants. Haemangiomas can occur anywhere on the body, but they are most common on the face, head, and neck. They can be flat or raised, and they can be red, purple, or blue.
The exact cause of haemangiomas is unknown but some cases may arise from placental tissue in early pregnancy. They are more common in girls, premature infants and multiple births.
In most cases, haemangiomas do not require treatment. They will usually shrink on their own over time and this is called involution. This phase can last anywhere between 3-10 years and whilst all haemangiomas involute the result may not be cosmetically acceptable. Some hemangiomas can grow large or cause problems such as bleeding and ulceration especially around the nappy area.
A haemangioma near the eye can have long term affects on a child’s vision and an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) needs to check them. Haemangiomas around the mouth can interfere with feeding. In these cases, treatment with propranolol may be necessary.
Propranolol is a betablocker used to lower blood pressure and also reduce the growth of haemangiomas and caused them to shrink. Dr Naomi Goldstraw has 10 years of experience using this medication and has recuited patients into a large European Study (PITCH) that is looking into the treatment of haemangiomas with propranolol.
