Hemangioma natural history, complications and prognosis

Hemangioma Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Hemangioma from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X Ray
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Hemangioma natural history, complications and prognosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hemangioma natural history, complications and prognosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Hemangioma natural history, complications and prognosis
CDC on Hemangioma natural history, complications and prognosis
Hemangioma natural history, complications and prognosis in the news
Blogs on Hemangioma natural history, complications and prognosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Hemangioma
Risk calculators and risk factors for Hemangioma natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Nawal Muazam M.D.[2]

Natural history

• In brief, hemangiomas are vascular tumors that are rarely apparent at birth, grow rapidly during the first six months of life, involute with time and do not necessarily infiltrate but can sometimes be destructive.
• Hemangiomas follow a predictable course with three distinct developmental phases:

• Proliferation phase
• Quiescence phase
• Involution phase

Proliferation phase

• In most hemangiomas, eighty percent of proliferation occurs by three months of life but may last longer.

• During proliferation, rapid growth can lead to exhaustion of blood supply with resulting ischemia, necrosis, ulceration, and bleeding.

Quiescence phase

• Following proliferation, hemangiomas enter a slower or no growth phase, known as quiescence.

• This phase typically lasts from nine to twelve months of age.

Involution phase

• The final and unique phase of the hemangioma lifecycle is involution.

• This phase is marked by graying of the overlying skin and shrinking of the deeper components.
• At the final stages of involution, a fibrofatty protuberance may remain.

Complications

Rapid growth of hemangiomas can lead to exhaustion of blood supply with resulting:

• Ischemia
• Necrosis
• Ulceration
• Bleeding