What are ulcerated cavernous hemangiomas?

Also known as: hemangioma, infantile hemangioma, superficial hemangioma, mixed hemangioma, birthmark.

The term hemangioma refers to a common collection of blood vessels on or under the skin (cutaneous) that usually develops in white babies (girls more often than boys), of low birth weight, within the first 6 months after birth.

There are 3 general types:

• ​Superficial hemangiomas
• Deep hemangioma (cavernous)
• Mixed hemangioma (involving the superficial and deeper layers of the skin).

They are usually medically insignificant, growing initially and then decreasing in size over time. Ulceration and bleeding is uncommon. They can however develop in areas other than the skin such as the liver or lungs (extracutaneous).

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM