Hemangioma treatment: what methods are used?
A cutaneous hemangioma is a benign vascular tumor that results from abnormal growth of blood vessels. It is most common in children, but can also develop in adults. Hemangiomas are usually painless and rarely become malignant, although they can cause cosmetic discomfort or functional impairment.
Most often, hemangioma does not require active actions, as it can regress on its own within ten years. But if the vascular tumor affects internal organs, interferes with their normal functioning or grows rapidly, with a tendency to malignancy (transition into a malignant process), active treatment and dynamic monitoring of growth are necessary.
Treatment methods
Laser therapy. The most modern, therapeutically and cosmetically effective method is the treatment of superficial hemangiomas using a special vascular dye laser (rhodamine) with wavelengths of 577-595 nm. The laser painlessly, without traumatizing the skin and harmless to the child, stimulates the resorption of hemangioma. The skin remains smooth and clean after several procedures. Laser energy of these wavelengths is selectively absorbed by oxyhemoglobin and hemoglobin. Skin chromophores transform light energy into heat, heat themselves and indirectly heat the erythrocyte and the inner wall of the vessel. A specially selected pulse duration (1500 μs) prevents heat transfer from the vascular wall to the surrounding connective tissue of the dermis. The tumor vessels stick together and then gradually dissolve. The skin texture does not change, scars do not form. Laser treatment procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, do not violate the integrity of the skin, do not limit the patient's sanitary and hygienic regime.
Optimal timing for starting laser therapy:
- Hemangiomas on the face and in the anogenital area are considered a "medical emergency" and require therapeutic treatment with a special pulsed vascular dye laser for three days;
- Facial hemangiomas with a clear tendency to grow (increase in the area of the lesion by 1.5 times in one week) should be treated immediately, and in other locations - within one week after detection;
- orotracheal tract hemangiomas are considered a medical emergency and should be treated with laser before the need for tracheotomy arises.
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