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Angioma is a benign tumor that arises due to an abnormal accumulation of blood vessels in the skin, most frequently in the face and neck, or in organs such as the liver and brain, for example. Angioma on the skin may appear as a red or purple sign or as a bump, usually red, and is very common in the baby.
Although the cause of the onset of angioma is still unknown, it is usually curable, and treatment can be performed with laser, corticosteroid administration or surgery.
However, if the angioma is located in the brain or spinal cord, for example, it may not be possible to remove it through surgery, and compression of these structures may occur and, consequently, cause problems with vision, balance or numbness in the arms. or legs and in more severe cases, lead to death.
1. Angioma on the skin
Angiomas in the skin are the most common to happen and to be identified, the main ones being:
- Flat angioma, which is also called Port wine stain, and is characterized by a smooth, pink or red stain on the face. This type of angioma is usually present since birth, however it can also appear months later and tends to disappear after the first year of life;
- Strawberry or tuberous angioma, which is characterized by a protrusion, usually red, formed by the accumulation of blood vessels, being more frequent in the head, neck or trunk. It is usually present at birth, but it can appear later, growing during the first year of life and slowly regressing until it disappears;
- Stellar angioma, which is characterized by a central, rounded, red spot that radiates capillary vessels in various directions, similar to a spider, and is therefore called a vascular spider, its appearance being related to the hormone estrogen.
- Ruby angioma, which is characterized by the appearance of red pellets on the skin, which appear in adulthood and may increase in size and quantity with aging. Learn more about ruby angioma.
Although they are not indicative of severity, it is important that the skin angioma is evaluated by the dermatologist so that the need for treatment can be verified.
2. Cerebral angioma
Cerebral angiomas can be of two types, namely:
- Cavernous angioma: it is an angioma that is located in the brain, spinal cord or spine and, rarely, in other regions of the body, which can generate symptoms, such as epileptic seizures, headache and bleeding. It is usually congenital, already present at birth, but in some cases, it may appear later. This type of angioma can be diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging and treatment is done through surgery. Learn more about cavernous angioma;
- Venous angioma: this angioma is characterized by a congenital malformation of some veins of the brain, which are more dilated than normal. Usually, it is only removed by surgery if it is associated with another brain injury or if the individual has symptoms such as seizures, for example.
It is important that the person consult the neurologist as soon as he / she presents any symptom that may be indicative of cerebral angioma, as this way it is possible to confirm the diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment.
3. Angioma in the liver
This type of angioma forms on the surface of the liver, and is characterized by a small lump formed by a tangle of blood vessels, which is usually asymptomatic and benign, not progressing to cancer. The causes of hemangioma in the liver are not known, but it is known that it is more common in women aged between 30 and 50 years who have been pregnant or who are undergoing hormone replacement.
In most cases, the hemangioma does not need treatment, as it disappears on its own, without presenting risks to the patient's health. However, in some cases, it may grow or present a risk of bleeding, and it may be necessary to resort to surgery.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for angioma should be indicated by the general practitioner, angiologist or dermatologist according to the size, location, severity and type of angioma. In most cases, angioma on the skin does not lead to serious complications, can disappear spontaneously or be removed according to the dermatologist's guidance. Thus, some treatment options that may be indicated by the dermatologist for skin angioma are:
- Laser, which decreases the flow of blood in the blood vessels and helps to remove the angioma;
- Sclerotherapy, which consists of injecting drugs to destroy blood vessels and remove angioma;
- Electrocoagulation, in which electrical current is applied through a needle that is inserted into the angioma to destroy blood vessels and remove the angioma;
- Cryotherapy, which consists of spraying liquid nitrogen to help remove angioma.
These treatments can be used in all types of angioma on the skin, such as ruby angioma, which can also be called senile, or in stellar angioma, for example.
In the case of cerebral angioma, treatment must be indicated by the neurologist, which may be indicated:
- Oral corticosteroids, such as Prednisone tablets, to decrease the size of the angioma;
- Neurological surgery to remove angioma from the brain or spinal cord.
Surgery is usually done when angioma is associated with other lesions in the brain or when the patient has symptoms such as seizures, headaches, balance or memory problems, for example.