Cavernous Hemangioma - Symptoms & Treatment

Cavernous hemangioma is the most common benign orbital tumor found in adults. Large cavernous hemangiomas may develop secondary infections and ulcerate. is a potentially serious condition that may commonly found in patients who are in the middle decades of life, and the peak incidence occurs in the fourth or fifth decade. Hemangiomas are usually present at birth, although they may appear within a few months after birth, often beginning at a site that has appeared slightly dusky or differently colored than the surrounding tissue. Cavernous hemangioma arises from the endothelial cells that line the blood vessels and consists of multiple, large vascular channels lined by a single layer of endothelial cells and supported by collagenous walls. Hemangiomas of the eyelid may interfere with the development of normal vision and must be treated in the first few months of life. If the tumor causes compression of the optic nerve with associated peripheral vision loss or other signs of optic nerve compromise, the tumor must usually be excised. The tumor is also often excised for cosmetic purposes.

Cavernous hemangiomas may cause bleeding or interfere with organ function, depending on their location. Most cavernous hemangiomas do not show symptoms. In rare cases, a cavernous hemangioma may rupture. Hemangiomas may be present anywhere on the body. However, they are most disturbing to parents when they are on the infant's face or head. Cavernous hemangiomas usually erode the outer table and are confined by the inner table, and, despite their enlargement and subsequent erosion of the surrounding bone, the inner table remains intact. Cavernous hemangiomas that involve the eyelid and obstruct vision are generally treated with injections of steroids or laser treatments that rapidly reduce the size of the lesions, allowing normal vision to develop. Large cavernous hemangiomas or mixed hemangiomas are treated, when appropriate, with oral steroids and injections of steroids directly into the hemangioma. Recently, lasers have been used to reduce the bulk of the hemangiomas. Lasers emitting yellow light selectively damage the vessels in the hemangioma without damaging the overlying skin.

Causes of Cavernous hemangioma

Common causes and risk factor's of Cavernous hemangioma:

• It is not known what causes cavernous hemangiomas to appear, grow, or disappear.

Symptoms of Cavernous hemangioma

Some sign and symptoms related to Cavernous hemangioma are as follows:

• A red to reddish-purple, raised lesion on the skin.
• Bleeding or interfere with organ function.
• Signs of heart failure.
• A massive, raised tumor with blood vessels.
• An abdominal mass.

Treatment of Cavernous hemangioma

Common treatment of Cavernous hemangioma:

• Cavernous hemangiomas that involve the eyelid and obstruct vision are generally treated with injections of steroids.
• In some cases, a laser may be used to eradicate the small vessels.
• Large cavernous hemangiomas or mixed hemangiomas are treated, when appropriate, with oral steroids and injections of steroids directly into the hemangioma. .
• Some physicians are using a combination of steroid injection and laser therapy together.
• Surgery to remove the tumor may be used.