Medical Insider – Dr. Ria P. Maslog
Strawberry Hemangioma and Cavernous Hemangioma
These two (2) are common cutaneous congenital malformations seen in 10%
of infants but in only 2% of newborns.
What is Strawberry hemangioma? This is otherwise known as hemangioma
simplex and is a capillary hemangioma that is usually bright red or purplish red with well defined margins. They usually appear within a
few days or weeks as a pink or red macule that enlarge during the first 5-6 months. They are usually found on any part of the skin and rarely involve the mucous membranes.
Cavernous hemangioma, on the other hand, arises deeper in the dermis with
poorly defined borders. The tumor is composed of large venous channels and vascular lakes and they appear as reddish blue discoloration to the overlying normal skin. On palpation, they are cystic and feel like a bag of worms. When the child strains or cries, the tumor becomes larger and darker blue.
Both lesions will increase in size during the first 3 to 6 months of life then
will stop or stagnate for a few months then will grow at the same rate as the patient and then will spontaneously decrease in size.
Hemangiomas as benign in nature will have its diagnosis made by careful evaluation and observation and biopsy is not indicated.