Angioma - causes and signs of angioma

Depending on the affected area, there are hemangiomas and lymphangiomas - tumors of the blood and lymphatic vessels.

According to the histological classification, angiomas are:

• monomorphic - formations originating from cells of one type of the vascular wall of arteries or veins (hemangiopericytomas, hemangioendotheliomas, leiomyomas);
• polymorphic - different components of the wall of an artery or vein are combined.

By type of structure, there are also several types of angiomas.

• Simple, or capillary melanoma, occurs due to the proliferation of newly formed capillaries, small venous and arterial vessels. They are localized on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of a bright red (arterial) or bluish-purple (venous) spot. They can be small and giant, and turn pale when pressed. The simple form very rarely transforms into malignant hemangioendothelioma.
• The cavernous, or cavernous configuration consists of wide spongy cavities filled with blood. It looks like a purple-bluish node of soft elastic consistency with a bumpy surface. It is located subcutaneously, and is characterized by temperature asymmetry, i.e. it is hotter to the touch than the surrounding tissues. When pressed, it turns pale as a result of blood outflow.
• The branched (racellus) is represented by a plexus of tortuous dilated capillary trunks. Pulsation, noise, and tremor are determined above it. It is rare and is localized on the limbs or face. If such an area is inadvertently injured, life-threatening bleeding is possible.
• Combined melanomas combine simple and cavernous forms.
• Senile angiomas appear after 40 years and are small multiple pink-red formations.

By shape, there are flat, nodular, stellate, and crescent-shaped angiomas.

Causes

These formations are almost always congenital, the reasons for their occurrence are unknown. Sometimes they can appear as a result of traumatic actions or accompany other diseases, such as cancer of the internal organs or cirrhosis of the liver.

Symptoms

The disease occurs in children and can be found on the head, upper half of the body and neck. If there are many neoplasms, this phenomenon is called angiomatosis. Angiomas can affect the viscera, musculoskeletal system, and integumentary tissues. Angiomas from the lymphatic system are colorless, and from the capillaries - red-bluish, which is a cosmetic defect. Formations in the liver, spleen, pancreas can provoke streaky bleeding.

Diagnostics

This disease is easily diagnosed by a specialist during examination (if the neoplasms are located on the skin or mucous membranes), since it has characteristic symptoms: this is a typical color and the ability to disappear when pressed. To identify angiomas on internal organs, angiography, X-ray examination, computed tomography are performed, and a regular ultrasound of internal organs is also informative.

Treatment

The main goal of treatment is to stop the growth of the tumor, eliminate it, and restore normal functioning of the arteries and veins.

In some cases with small congenital angiomas that do not pose a danger to the patient, monitoring of such an angioma may be recommended and intervention is not required.

Various methods are used for therapy.

Among them are laser treatment, radiation therapy when localized in the orbital region, retrobulbar space. In case of bleeding or point lesions, as well as angiofibromas, diathermocoagulation is indicated. The sclerosing method is performed in case of a deep-seated small structure. In this case, alcohol is introduced into the cavity of the object. Hormone therapy is used in the progressive development of the pathological process, simultaneous damage to several anatomical areas. Cryotherapy is also used, especially this method is used in pediatric surgery. The surgical method is also used when the object is deeply located.

With complete and timely treatment, the prognosis is favorable. With large neoplasms of hard-to-reach localization (large vessels, internal organs), the prognosis is not so optimistic.

Making a high-quality and accurate diagnosis with the choice of optimal treatment is the task of a specialist, therefore, when these manifestations are detected, consultations are recommended: therapist, surgeon, angiologist.

Prevention

Prevention consists of planning pregnancy. All women of reproductive age are recommended to take folic acid or multivitamins that contain it in order to prevent congenital pathology. In older age, it is necessary to avoid injury to organs in order to prevent rupture of the pathologically altered wall and not cause blood loss.