Hemangiomas are benign blood vessel tumors which are common in children and frequently (but not always) affect the head and neck areas. They usually begin as a tiny red spot on the baby’s first day of life and then rapidly grow for the next 3 to 6 months. Obviously, this can be very concerning for the new parents! The good news is that the growth will stop. The bad news is that the benign tumors can grow a lot before they do.
Each hemangioma is different and should be approached individually. 90 percent of these will ultimately regress spontaneously (50% by five years, 90% by nine years). The problem is they can cause psycho-social issues before they regress and they can leave abnormal skin and soft tissue when they do ultimately go away.
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to these growths. For small hemangiomas in hidden areas, allowing the lesion to spontaneously resolve without intervention can be very appropriate. For more aggressive tumors in aesthetically compromising areas (cheek, nose, forehead etc.) early and proactive treatment with medicine or surgery may be warranted.
Contact Dr. Brooks today to determine the approach most appropriate for your child.
