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$Unique_ID{BRK03575}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Cavernous Hemangioma}
$Subject{Cavernous Hemangioma Cavernous Angioma Hemangioma, Familial
Congenital Vascular Cavernous Malformations Cavernomas Nevus Cavernosus
Vascular Erectile Tumor Arteriovenous Malformations of the Brain Moyamoya
Disease Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Von Hippel-Lindau Disease}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
620:
Cavernous Hemangioma
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Cavernous Hemangioma)
is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Hemangioma, Familial
Congenital Vascular Cavernous Malformations
Cavernomas
Nevus Cavernosus
Vascular Erectile Tumor
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Arteriovenous Malformations of the Brain
Moyamoya Disease
Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus
Von Hippel-Lindau Disease
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Cavernous Hemangioma is a rare, often congenital disorder of the venous
(veins and arteries) system. The hemangioma is a mass resembling a tumor,
consisting of large blood-filled spaces which and can occur at any site in
the body.
Symptoms
Cavernous Hemangioma is a swelling or mass which is the result of an increase
in the number of blood vessels, at a particular site in the body. The
hemangioma can occur on the skin or in any organ or location throughout the
entire body. The liver is the most common site for development of the
Cavernous Hemangioma. However, the rectum, kidney, eyes, nerves, spinal cord
and brain are also common locations. The Disorder can be either acquired or
congenital.
Causes
There are several possible causes of Cavernous Hemangioma. It can be
inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. (Human traits including the
classic genetic diseases, are the product of the interaction of two genes,
one received from the father and one from the other. In dominant disorders a
single copy of the disease gene (received from either the mother or father)
will be expressed "dominating" the other normal gene and resulting in
appearance of the disease. The risk of transmitting the disorder from
affected parent to offspring is fifty percent for each pregnancy regardless
of the sex of the resulting child.) Hemangiomas may also be acquired as a
result of injury to a particular area of the body. They may also occur for
unknown reasons.
Affected Population
Cavernous Hemangiomas affect males and females of all ages in equal numbers.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Cavernous
Hemangioma. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Arteriovenous Malformations of the Brain are disorders that affect the
blood vessels in the brain. They are classified as: Arteriovenous
Malformations (abnormal arteries and veins), Cavernous Malformations
(enlarged blood channels, Venous Malformations (abnormal veins), and
Telangiectasias (enlarged capillary-sized vessels). These disorders may
cause headaches, seizures, strokes or bleeding into the brain. They may
affect arteries, veins and mid-sized blood vessels. (For more information on
this disorder, choose "Arteriovenous" as your search term in the Rare Disease
Database).
Moyamoya Disease is a progressive disorder that affects blood vessels in
the brain. It is characterized by narrowing and/or closing of the main
artery to the brain which decreases the blood supply. This lack of blood may
cause paralysis of the feet, legs or upper extremities. Cerebral bleeding,
convulsions, headaches, various vision problems, mental deterioration, and
psychiatric problems may also occur. (For more information on this disorder,
choose "Moyamoya" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus is characterized by soft elevated blue, blue-black
or purplish-red swellings, called hemangiomas or nevi, on the skin or just
under the skin. The nodules may be tender, contain blood and be easily
compressed. External nevi are usually located on the upper arms or trunk.
Internally, nevi may be located in many different sites such as, the liver,
lungs, spleen, gallbladder, kidney and skeletal muscles. Serious
complications may accompany internal growths. When the gastrointestinal
tract is affected uncontrolled bleeding may result in chronic anemia. If
nevi are located in the brain, they may cause bleeding and increased
intracranial pressure. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Blue
Rubber" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).
Von Hippel-Lindau Disease is an hereditary disorder characterized by
multiple focal tissue malformations called hemangioblastomas and angiomas.
These growths may be found in the retina, brain, kidneys, adrenal glands, and
other organs. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness and failure of
muscular coordination (ataxia). Chronic high blood pressure may also be
present. The disorder may begin during young adulthood, but can appear as
early as the age of eight. Bulges in the blood vessels (aneurysms) may
develop which may form a nodule (angioma) that resembles a balloon. Benign
tumors (pheochromocytomas) of the adrenal glands may be present as well,
causing chronic high blood pressure, pounding heartbeat, headache, cold hands
and feet, and excessive sweating. (For more information on this disorder,
choose "Von Hippel-Lindau" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).
Therapies: Standard
Cavernous Hemangioma can be diagnosed with the use of various imaging
diagnostic methods such as: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed
Tomography (CT) Scans, and X-Rays to provide a comprehensive picture of the
hemangioma and to give the doctor the most useful approach to take in
treatment. The treatment usually consists of surgery to resect the blood
vessels that make up the Hemangioma. Carbon dioxide laser surgery may be
recommended for removal of external hemangiomas. Internal hemangiomas may be
removed surgically or through radiation therapy.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through April
1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Cavernous Hemangioma, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
NIH/National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-4236
For Genetic Information and genetic counseling referrals:
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
(914) 428-7100
Alliance of Genetic Support Groups
35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(800) 336-GENE
(301) 652-5553
References
MENDELIAN INHERITANCE IN MAN, 8th ed.: Victor A. McKusick; Johns Hopkins
University Press, 1988. Pp. 133.
INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown
and Co., 1987. Pp.1007.
COLORECTAL HEMANGIOMA; RADIOLOGIC FINDINGS. A.H. Dachman, et al.;
Radiology, (April, 1988, issue 167 (1)). Pp. 31-34.
CAVERNOUS HEMANGIOMA OF THE OPTIC NERVE. N. Maruoka, et al.; J Neurosurg
(August, 1988, issue, 69 (2)). Pp. 292-294.
CAVERNOUS HEMANGIOMA OF THE LIVER; ROLE OF PERCUTANEOUS BIOPSY. J.J.
Cronan, et al.; Radiology (January, 1988, issue 166 (1 Pt 1) ). Pp. 135-138.
CAVERNOUS ANGIOMAS OF THE SPINAL CORD. G.R. Cosgrove, et al.; J Neurosurg
(January, 1988, issue 68 (1)). Pp. 31-36.