Infantile hemangiopericytoma

Infantile Hemangiopericytoma is a rare, benign vascular tumor that typically occurs in infancy or early childhood. It is characterized by the proliferation of pericytes, which are contractile cells that wrap around the endothelial cells of capillaries and venules throughout the body.

Symptoms and Signs

Infantile hemangiopericytoma usually presents as a painless, rapidly growing mass. The most common locations are the head and neck, followed by the trunk and extremities. The tumor may be associated with high-output heart failure due to arteriovenous shunting.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of infantile hemangiopericytoma is usually made based on the clinical presentation and histopathological findings. Imaging studies such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be helpful in determining the extent of the tumor and planning the surgical approach.

Treatment

The mainstay of treatment for infantile hemangiopericytoma is surgical resection. In some cases, chemotherapy may be used to shrink the tumor before surgery. Radiation therapy is generally reserved for cases where complete surgical resection is not possible.

Prognosis

The prognosis for infantile hemangiopericytoma is generally good, with a high rate of long-term survival. However, recurrence is common and long-term follow-up is necessary.

See Also

• Hemangiopericytoma
• Vascular Tumors
• Pediatric Oncology

References

Infantile hemangiopericytoma Resources
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