Vascular tumor

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Capillary haemangioma

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2023-06-15 FRENTE PARLAMENTAR, Reginaldo Lopes (Hemangioma)

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Hemangioma

HemangiomaWen

Vascular tumors are an array of growths that originate from the cells responsible for the formation of blood vessels or lymph vessels. These neoplasms can manifest in various areas of the body, ranging from superficial locations such as the skin to deeper tissues and even organs. They present a spectrum of clinical behaviors, from benign growths that pose minimal threat to malignant forms that may necessitate aggressive interventions.

Classification and Characteristics

Vascular tumors can be classified based on their biological behavior:

• Benign Vascular Tumors: These are non-cancerous growths that typically do not invade nearby tissues nor metastasize to distant sites.
• The most prevalent benign vascular tumor is the hemangioma. Predominantly seen in infants, these are often self-limiting growths that regress spontaneously with time.
• Malignant Vascular Tumors: These are cancerous lesions that possess the potential to invade neighboring structures and disseminate to remote regions of the body.
• While vascular tumors can emerge anywhere, their presentation and clinical significance can vary based on their location, whether it be on the skin, in subcutaneous tissues, or within an organ.

Pathophysiology

The precise etiology behind the development of vascular tumors remains a subject of research. However, it's postulated that they arise from endothelial cells – the cells that line the inner walls of blood vessels and lymph vessels. Some predisposing factors, such as genetic mutations or environmental triggers, might contribute to their genesis.

Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis

While many vascular tumors are asymptomatic and may be discovered incidentally, some can present with symptoms such as pain, swelling, or functional impairment, depending on their location and size.

Diagnostic approaches include:

• Imaging studies like ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan to delineate the tumor's size, location, and relationship with neighboring structures.
• Biopsy, where a tissue sample from the tumor is obtained and examined under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis and determine the tumor's nature.

Treatment and Prognosis

The management of vascular tumors is tailored based on the type and location of the tumor, as well as the patient's overall health:

• Observation: In cases where the tumor is benign and not causing any symptoms or complications, periodic monitoring might be the only recommended approach.
• Medical therapy: Some benign vascular tumors, like infantile hemangiomas, may respond to medications like propranolol.
• Surgical excision: Tumors that are symptomatic, rapidly growing, or malignant often necessitate surgical removal.
• Radiation or chemotherapy: These modalities are usually reserved for malignant vascular tumors or those that are not amenable to surgical intervention.

The prognosis of a vascular tumor largely hinges on its nature (benign versus malignant), its size, location, and the extent of its spread (if malignant).

See Also

• Angiosarcoma
• Lymphangiosarcoma
• Vascular malformations

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