What is the Difference Between Hemangioma and Vascular Malformation

The key difference between hemangioma and vascular malformation is that hemangioma is a growth of blood vessels, which often can’t be seen at birth, while vascular malformation is a growth of blood vessels present at birth.

Hemangioma and vascular malformation are two different birthmarks. They are also growths of blood vessels, which are noncancerous. However, hemangioma usually forms in the first few weeks of life, while vascular malformation may not be seen for months or weeks after birth. Moreover, hemangioma tends to shrink, whereas vascular malformation doesn’t shrink.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Hemangioma  
3. What is Vascular Malformation
4. Similarities – Hemangioma and Vascular Malformation
5. Hemangioma vs. Vascular Malformation in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Hemangioma vs. Vascular Malformation

What is Hemangioma?

Hemangioma is the growth of blood vessels found on the skin. It can appear anywhere on the body but especially appears on the face, chest, and back. Hemangioma can also be found in the head, neck, and organs like the liver. Hemangioma occurs as a red or purple lump. The symptoms of hemangioma may include a bulge on the skin that is bright red to purple in color and one-quarter to 2 inches in size. In children, hemangioma is caused by blood vessels that do not develop properly during pregnancy, while in adults, it develops after an injury or illness. Moreover, hemangioma begins to shrink in size when a baby is 12 to 18 months old. Therefore, it often disappears by age 10. Hemangioma is most common in infants and children, but adults can also develop them as well. Females are 3 times more likely to get hemangioma.

Hemangioma is diagnosed through a visual examination and an imaging test like an ultrasound. Furthermore, hemangioma is treated through medicines like a beta-blocker such as oral propranolol or timolol gel, or a steroid to shrink the hemangioma and removing surgically.

What is Vascular Malformation?

A vascular malformation is the growth of blood vessels. The affected blood vessels may include arteries and arterioles, capillaries, veins and venules, and lymphatic channels. Vascular malformations can appear as birthmarks on the skin of infants, or they may develop in practically any part of the body, including the brain or spine. The symptoms of this condition may include raised red, blue, purple, brown, or black birthmarks on the skin, birthmarks that may swell, bleed, or cause pain, headaches, seizures, or muscle weakness (paralysis) on one side of the body, body aches, pain, problems with blood clotting, and organ damage. Moreover, vascular malformation is caused by abnormal development of vascular or lymphatic channels during development in the uterus, injury or hormonal changes during puberty or pregnancy, and inherited genetic changes.

The vascular malformation can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, vascular ultrasound, MR angiogram (MRA), CT angiogram, venogram, plain X-rays, tissue biopsy, and genetic testing. Furthermore, treatment options for vascular malformation may include sclerotherapy, catheter embolization, laser therapy, and radiation therapy (radiosurgery).

What are the Similarities Between Hemangioma and Vascular Malformation?

• Hemangioma and vascular malformation are two different birthmarks.
• Both conditions mainly affect children.
• They are also growths of blood vessels and are noncancerous.
• Both can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
• They can be treated through surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Hemangioma and Vascular Malformation?

Hemangioma is a growth of blood vessels that often can’t be seen at birth, while vascular malformation is a growth of blood vessels present at birth. This is the key difference between hemangioma and vascular malformation. Furthermore, hemangioma tends to shrink, whereas vascular malformation doesn’t shrink.

The infographic below presents the differences between hemangioma and vascular malformation in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Hemangioma vs. Vascular Malformation

Birthmarks are marks on the skin that can develop in a baby before birth or soon after birth. Hemangioma and vascular malformation are two different birthmarks. Both these conditions are predominantly seen the children. They are also growths of blood vessels and are noncancerous. However, hemangioma often cannot be seen at birth, whereas vascular malformation is present at birth. Moreover, hemangioma tends to shrink, while vascular malformation doesn’t shrink. So, this summarizes the difference between hemangioma and vascular malformation.

Reference:

1. “Hemangioma: Types, Causes & Treatments.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Vascular Malformations.” JHM.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Infantile hemangioma, flat” By Gstk – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Arteriovenous malformation – brain – low mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia