What is the difference between a port-wine stain and a hemangioma?

Abstract. Background: Port-Wine Stains (PWS) are vascular malformations of the dermis, whereas hemangiomas are vascular tumors usually present at birth. Early non-invasive diagnosis of the vascular lesion would greatly increase treatment efficiency.

Is port-wine stain the same as hemangioma?

The hemangioma is a nevus or cutaneous pigmentation which is not hereditary and it appears since birth where the dilation of blood vessels causes a staining in the skin between purplish or reddish. The port-wine stain is a vascular malformation and wrongly called planum hemangioma.

Is a port-wine stain a capillary hemangioma?

Clinically classified capillary hemangiomas include port-wine stain, strawberry hemangioma and salmon patch. Vascular malformations also include lymphangiomas, lymphangiohemangiomas, arteriovenous malformations and vascular gigantism.

What is port-wine hemangioma?

Nevus flammeus. A port-wine stain is a birthmark in which swollen blood vessels create a reddish-purplish discoloration of the skin. Port wine stains are always present at birth. In an infant, they are flat, pink, vascular lesions.

How do you identify a hemangioma?

Hemangiomas of the skin are generally deep red or blue-purple. They appear as raised lesions or tumors on the skin. The deeper the hemangioma, the darker it's color. Growths on the skin's surface (strawberry, capillary, or superficial hemangiomas) are usually deep red.

Vascular ectasias - Nevus flammeus (port-wine stain) , Salmon Patch , Telangiectasias

What does a hemangioma look like?

A hemangioma (he-man-jee-O-muh) is a bright red birthmark that shows up at birth or in the first or second week of life. It looks like a rubbery bump and is made up of extra blood vessels in the skin. A hemangioma can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly appears on the face, scalp, chest or back.

When should I be worried about a hemangioma?

Most hemangiomas will not need treatment. However, your doctor or dermatologist should monitor them. Large and risky hemangiomas that affect eyesight, breathing, or are at high risk of bleeding may need help. Surgery can remove larger hemangiomas that are a risk to your child's health.

Are port-wine stains benign?

Although the cause of birthmarks is not known, most of them are benign (noncancerous) and do not require treatment. Babies with birthmarks should be examined and diagnosed by a doctor.

What is another name for port-wine stain?

Port-wine stains (also known as nevus flammeus) can be anywhere on the body, but most commonly are on the face, neck, scalp, arms, or legs. They can be any size, and usually grow in proportion as a child grows.

What does a port-wine stain indicate?

Port-wine stains are caused by an abnormal formation of tiny blood vessels in the skin. In rare cases, port-wine stains are a sign of Sturge-Weber syndrome or Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome.

Does hemangioma go away?

About 80 percent of hemangiomas stop growing by about 5 months, Dr. Antaya says. After hitting this plateau phase, they stay unchanged for several months, and then begin to slowly disappear over time (called involution). By the time children reach 10 years of age, hemangiomas are usually gone.

Why do babies get hemangiomas?

Infantile hemangiomas are made up of blood vessels that form incorrectly and multiply more than they should. These blood vessels receive signals to grow rapidly early in a baby's life. Most infantile hemangioma will appear at birth or within the first few weeks after birth.

What causes hemangioma?

Hemangiomas of the skin develop when there's an abnormal proliferation of blood vessels in one area of the body. Experts aren't sure why blood vessels group together like this, but they believe it's caused by certain proteins produced in the placenta during gestation (the time when you're in the womb).

How can you tell the difference between a port-wine stain and a salmon patch?

Like port-wine stains, salmon patches start as flat, pink or red patches; the difference between these birthmarks is that salmon patches tend to fade in the first year of life while port-wine stains become darker and grow along with the baby.

How big do hemangiomas get?

Most hemangiomas are round or oval in shape, but larger lesions may follow the shape of the affected body part. The size of hemangiomas varies. Some are very small (1 mm), while others are very large (20 cm or larger). Every hemangioma differs in how fast it grows and how long it grows before it stops.

What causes port-wine birthmarks?

These birthmarks, including port-wine stains, are not caused by anything the mother does or doesn't do before or during their pregnancy. You can't prevent them. A port-wine stain happens when chemical signals in tiny blood vessels don't "turn off," and those blood vessels get bigger. The extra blood turns the skin red.

What type of skin disorder is port-wine stain?

A port wine stain is a vascular birthmark caused by abnormal development of blood vessels in the skin. A port wine stain is sometimes referred to as a capillary malformation.

Can port-wine stains become cancerous?

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is known to develop in port-wine stains, most commonly basal cell carcinoma. The range of skin cancer types known to arise in these malformations can be expanded to include melanoma in situ.

Are port-wine birthmarks hereditary?

DURHAM, N.C. – A non-inherited genetic mutation that arises during fetal development has been shown to be the cause of port-wine stains, one of the most common birth defects, as well as a related, but rare disorder called Sturge-Weber Syndrome (SWS).

How rare is a port-wine stain birthmark?

Port wine stains (also known as capillary malformations) are permanent red or blue-coloured birthmarks that are present from birth. They are quite common and happen in an estimated three out of 1000 babies.

Does insurance cover port-wine stain removal?

Conclusion: Based on current health care policy guidelines, laser treatment of port-wine stains should be regarded, and covered, as a medical necessity by all insurance providers.

Do port-wine stains change color when pressed?

Port-wine stains do not change color when gently pressed and do not disappear over time. They may become darker and thicker when the child is older or as an adult. Port-wine stains on the face may be associated with more serious problems. Skin-colored cosmetics may be used to cover small port-wine stains.

What is the best treatment for hemangioma?

In small, superficial hemangiomas, a gel containing the drug timolol may be applied to the affected skin. A severe infantile hemangioma may disappear if treated with an oral solution of propranolol. Treatment usually needs to be continued until about 1 year of age.

Is hemangioma malignant?

A hemangioma (hee man jee OH mah) is a common vascular birthmark, made of extra blood vessels in the skin. It is a benign (non-cancerous) growth. The exact cause is not known. Hemangiomas are typically not inherited, but others in the family may also have had them.

Can hemangiomas burst?

Hemangiomas are common benign tumors of the liver. Spontaneous rupture is a rare complication, occurring most commonly in giant hemangiomas. Rupture of a hemangioma with hemoperitoneum is a serious development and can be fatal if not managed promptly.