Have you ever heard of Hemangioma? This disease may sound familiar to some of us. Although hemangioma is more common in babies and children, the fact is that hemangioma can occur in anyone. Although most hemangiomas are harmless and can fade over time, some cases require medical attention, especially if the hemangioma is large or located in an important area, such as around the eyes or mouth.
What is Hemangioma?
Hemangioma is a reddish lump that grows and forms from a collection of abnormal blood vessels that become one. Hemangiomas can appear on the face, neck, scalp, chest and back. Conditions like this are actually not cancerous and can be cured of course with treatment recommended by a doctor. So, what effect does hemangioma have on health?
Effects of Hemangioma
- Low risk of complications:
- Small hemangiomas usually have a low risk of complications. However, hemangiomas that are large or grow during pregnancy may cause discomfort and require further medical attention.
- Monitoring and management:
- Diagnosis by a doctor and management may involve regular monitoring, especially if the hemangioma does not show any worrying symptoms.
- Medical intervention in certain cases:
- In some cases, especially if the hemangioma is large or causes significant symptoms, medical intervention such as drug treatment or surgical procedures may be necessary.
Hemangioma Symptoms
Hemangioma symptoms are often discovered incidentally during a medical examination or body imaging for another condition. However, in some cases, especially if the hemangioma progresses or reaches a larger size, some symptoms may appear. The following are some possible symptoms of hemangioma on the body:
- Changes in skin:
- Hemangiomas usually appear as red spots or lumps on the skin that can grow rapidly over several weeks or months.
- Swelling:
- Hemangiomas can become enlarged, especially early in their development.
- Pain and discomfort:
- Hemangiomas located in certain areas can cause pain or discomfort, especially if they press on surrounding tissue or organs.
- Risk of complications:
- Hemangiomas that are large or grow in sensitive areas, such as near the eyes or vital organs, can increase the risk of complications such as bleeding, infection, or organ dysfunction.
Steps for Management of Benign Hemangioma Tumors
Management of a hemangioma depends on its size, location, and whether the tumor is showing symptoms. Hemangiomas that are small and show no symptoms may only require routine monitoring, whereas more complex or large cases may require medical intervention.
The following are management steps that can generally be taken:
- Regular monitoring:
- Liver hemangiomas that are small and show no symptoms often only require routine monitoring through imaging examinations such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.
- Patient education:
- Patients should be given information about benign hemangioma tumors and understand that most do not cause health problems.
- Lifestyle changes:
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as adopting a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, can help support overall liver health.
- Drug use:
- In some cases, doctors may prescribe medications, such as beta-blockers or corticosteroids, to help manage the symptoms or size of the hemangioma.
- Surgical procedures or medical interventions:
- Hemangiomas that are larger or show certain symptoms may require further treatment. This may include an embolization procedure (cutting off the blood supply to the tumor) or surgery to remove the hemangioma.
- Consultation with a specialist:
- Patients with hemangioma will often be referred to a specialist doctor or surgeon for further evaluation and an appropriate management plan.
It is important to note that each case of hemangioma may vary, and management should be tailored to the patient's specific health condition. Decisions regarding hemangioma management should be based on a thorough evaluation by a qualified medical professional.
Article written by dr. Anne Saputra, M.Biomed, Sp.B, Subsp.BVE (K) (Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Specialist, EMC Pulomas Hospital).