Angiomas
There are many different types of angiomas. An angioma is a benign (not cancerous) growth that consists of small blood vessels.
These tumors can be located anywhere on the body. Some of the basic types include spider and cherry angiomas. The cause of most types of angiomas is not known.
Cherry angiomas can occur almost anywhere on the skin, but most commonly on the torso. They rarely occur on the hands or feet. When they first occur, cherry angiomas are about the size of a pinhead and do not protrude above the surface of the skin. However, some grow to 1/4 inch across or more, and become spongy and dome- or mushroom-shaped. They are painless and harmless, but many persons want them removed for cosmetic reasons. Large angiomas can bleed profusely when they are injured. Because of this, don't puncture them or try to remove them yourself. You can develop cherry angiomas anytime in your life, but they are most frequent after the age of 40. The cherry-red "bumps" develop alone or in groups, most often on the torso and frequently on the face, scalp, neck, arms and legs.
Spider angioma is so named because of its appearance: a central, red, elevated area with surrounding broken blood vessels radiating outward like a spider's legs. Many children and adults have a spider angioma. Spider angiomas are associated with childhood, pregnancy, liver disease, birth control pills, and estrogen treatment. They may develop for unknown reasons as well. Spider angiomas classically appear as small, centrally raised bumps (papules) caused by a dilated arteriole (small artery). Networks of dilated capillaries (tiny blood vessels) radiate from the arteriole. Pressing on the lesion causes the redness to disappear briefly, and there is a rapid return of redness once the pressure is lifted.
We have extensive experience in treated both of these types of lesions with the Vbeam pulsed dye laser. It is a fast and simple procedure with which we have enjoyed excellent success and patient satisfaction. Most angiomas clear after one treatment, but occasionally they require a second treatment in 4 weeks.
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