Angiomas

What Are Angiomas?

Angioma describes a malformation of the vessels, where the inner layer of the affected vessels proliferates excessively. It is usually a congenital disorder. However, in fewer cases, hemangiomas can also occur in adulthood.

What Types of Angiomas Are Known?

There are many types of angiomas, which can be divided into two main groups based on their origin:

• Hemangiomas
• Vascular malformations

Hemangiomas are benign tumors of the blood vessels and are usually congenital. Over the first years of life, they disappear without therapy. Hemangiomas are also colloquially called strawberry spots or blood sponges and occur on the mouth, kidneys, or liver.

Vascular malformations are abnormalities that do not disappear over time. For example, the most common type of angioma is an arteriovenous malformation, a short circuit between an artery and a vein. Due to the high pressure, there is the risk of the vessel rupturing, resulting in bleeding, which can have serious consequences, especially in the brain.

Cavernomas are also vascular malformations. A cavernoma is a benign vascular malformation consisting of an accumulation of altered veins. As a result, they can cause bleeding even at low pressure, which either goes undetected or manifests as headaches, paralysis, or seizures. Cavernomas can occur in the brain and the spinal cord. They are congenital but can also develop during life. In addition, port wine stains, also known as "birthmarks," are among the vascular malformations. Fine blood vessels that lie beneath the epidermis are increased and dilated causes the reddish coloration due to the blood filling the vessels.

How Are Angiomas Treated?

Angiomas are usually harmless and do not require treatment. However, they can be considered unattractive. In these cases, it is possible to remove the angioma. There are two techniques for treatment, depending on the size and location of the angiomas. First, lasers are used for the optical removal of skin angiomas. Second, surgery allows complete removal of the angioma from the skin.

Cavernomas and arteriovenous malformations are treated if they are in the brain and could cause neurological symptoms, which may involve either surgical removal or intervention by neuroradiologists with so-called coils.

Which Doctors and Clinics Are Specialized in Angioma Treatment?

Professionals in the field of hemangiomas are specialists in dermatology since hemangiomas usually manifest in the skin. If surgical removal of the hemangioma is being considered, patients should contact specialists in vascular surgery. For angiomas in the head, specialists in neurology should be consulted. If removal is necessary, neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists come into play.

Sources:

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· Hiddemann et al.: Die Onkologie: Teil 1: Epidemiologie - Pathogenese - Grundprinzipien der Therapie. Springer 2013, ISBN 978-3-662-06671-3.

· Flasnoecker (Hrsg.): TIM, Thieme's Innere Medizin. Thieme 1999, ISBN 978-3-131-12361-9.

· Herold et al.: Innere Medizin. Eigenverlag 2012, ISBN 978-3-981-46602-7.

· Böcker et al.: Pathologie. 3. Auflage. Urban & Fischer 2004, ISBN 3-437-44470-0.