Modern ideas about the phenomenon of spontaneous regression of hemangiomas in children

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15574/PP.2025.1(101).124134

Keywords:

infantile hemangioma, spontaneous involution, children, surgical intervention, treatment algorithm, dynamic observation, malformation

Abstract

Hemangioma is the most common tumor in the newborn period, which is a benign vascular growth that consists of densely located capillaries represented by endothelial cells and pericytes, in the form of a lobular pattern with the presence of mast cells.

Aim - to highlight the current views on the peculiarities of the phenomenon of spontaneous regression in children with superficial hemangioma, the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases according to the literature sources and personal experience.

The analysis of modern literary sources confirms the fact that if the involution of infantile hemangiomas did not take place before 5-6 years, its complete regression should not be expected; only 4-10% of capillary hemangiomas undergo spontaneous regression and only in full-term children, and cavernous and combined neoplasms do not regress. Considering the uncertainty of the prognosis of the course of hemangiomas in children, their unpredictable involutional behavior, possible residual degenerative skin changes and other complications in the process of spontaneous regression, early treatment of the pathology has gained consensus. When choosing a method of treating infantile hemangiomas, it is necessary to critically evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment method, its side effects, and the possibility of permanent cosmetic defects. Based on such potential limitations, domestic specialists proposed an algorithm for the treatment of infantile hemangiomas. The article presents two clinical cases that convincingly prove the absence of spontaneous involution in these patients, and the futile waiting for it and the lack of early treatment led to the need for surgical intervention due to the complicated course of the pathological process, with certain cosmetic losses.

Conclusions. Taking into account the analysis of literature sources, which testify to a small percentage of infantile hemangiomas, which are prone to the tendency of their complete reverse development or have statistical uncertainty in this matter, and the possibility of certain complications and cosmetic losses in the process of spontaneous involution, the choice of treatment tactics should be individual. if necessary, as early as possible, which has a decisive influence on improving the quality of life of patients in the process of their growth.

The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. Informed consent was obtained from the patients for conducting the study.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

Aslamzai M, Hakimi T, Mushoud M, Mukhlis AH. (2024). Noninvoluting congenital hemangiomas with hypovolemic shock, anemia and prolonged jaundice in a neonate: a case report. Oxford Medical Case Reports. 2024(3): 109-112. https://doi.org/10.1093/omcr/omae019; PMid:38532750 PMCid:PMC10962241

Baselga E, Cordisco MR, Garzon M, Lee MT, Alomar A, Blei F. (2008). Rapidly involuting congenital haemangioma associated with transient thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy: a case series. British Journal of Dermatology. 158(6): 1363-1370. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08546.x; PMid:18410425

Benzar IM. (2016). Vistseralni hemanhiomy u ditei: osoblyvosti klinichnykh proiaviv, uskladnennia, likuvannia. Aktualni pytannia pediatrii, akusherstva ta hinekolohii. (2): 5-8. https://doi.org/10.11603/24116-4944.2016.2.6829

Benzar IM, Zhumyk DM. (2019). Hepatic Hemangiomas in Children: Potential Risks and Principles of Treatment. Paediatric surgery. Ukraine. 1(62): 31-36. https://doi.org/10.15574/PS.2019.62.31

Boya Kaka WA, Salim SY, Fattah JH. (2024). Propranolol Treatment in the Management of Infantile Hemangioma in Erbil, Iraq. Iranian Journal of Neonatology. 15(1): https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08546.x; PMid:18410425

Bruckner AL, Frieden IJ. (2003). Hemangiomas of infancy. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 48(4): 477-496. https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2003.200; PMid:12664009

Buhorkova YA. (2013). Monytorynh rasprostranennosty hemanhyom v cheliustno-lytsevoi oblasty sredy detskoho naselenyia. Medyko-sotsialni problemy simi. 18(4): 83-86.

Chen ZY, Wang QN, Zhu YH, Zhou LY, Xu T et al. (2019). Progress in the treatment of infantile hemangioma. Ann. Transl. Med. 7(22): 692. https://doi.org/10.21037/atm.2019.10.47; PMid:31930093 PMCid:PMC6944559

Dadras SS, North PE, Bertoncini J, Mihm MC, Detmar M. (2004). Infantile hemangiomas are arrested in an early developmental vascular differentiation state. Modern pathology. 17(9): 1068-1079. https://doi.org/10.1038/modpathol.3800153; PMid:15143338

Darrow DH, Greene AK, Mancini AJ, Nopper AJ et al. (2015). Diagnosis and management of infantile hemangioma. Pediatrics. 136(4): e1060-e1104. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-2485; PMid:26416931

Daruwalla SB, Khunger N, Kumar A, Dhurat RS. (2022). Should all Infantile Hemangiomas be Treated? - Time to Learn, Unlearn, and Relearn. Indian Journal of Paediatric Dermatology. 23(1): 28-32. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpd.ijpd_168_20

Dementieva NA. (2013). Vykorystannia propranololu ta diodnoho lazeru v likuvanni dytiachykh hemanhiom. Dermatovenerolohyia. Kosmetolohyia. Seksopatolohyia. (1-4): 144-150.

El Hachem M, Gesualdo F, Diociaiuti A, Berti I, Vercellino N, Boccaletti V et al. (2017). Safety and effectiveness of oral propranolol for infantile hemangiomas started before 5 weeks and after 5 months of age: an Italian multicenter experience. Italian Journal of Pediatrics. 43: 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-60025-2; PMid:32094357 PMCid:PMC7039967

Fomin AA, Konoplitsky DV, Kalinchyk ОО. (2017). Justifiability of expectation of involution in hemangioma program treatment in children. Paediatric surgery. Ukraine. 3(56): 114-119. https://doi.org/10.15574/PS.2017.56.114

Gomez-Acevedo H, Dai Y, Strub G, Shawber C, Wu JK, Richter GT. (2020). Identification of putative biomarkers for Infantile Hemangiomas and Propranolol treatment via data integration. Scientific Reports. 10(1): 3261. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-60025-2; PMid:32094357 PMCid:PMC7039967

Helal AA, Daboos MA. (2019). Five years' experience of combined intralesional therapy in infantile hemangioma. Annals of Pediatric Surgery. 15: 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43159-019-0008-6

Hermans MM, Schappin R, de Laat PC, Mendels EJ, Breur JM, Langeveld HR et al. (2024). Mental health of school-aged children treated with propranolol or atenolol for infantile hemangioma and their parents. Dermatology. 240(2): 216-225. https://doi.org/10.1159/000536144; PMid:38228125 PMCid:PMC10997238

Ho RW, Nonnenmacher G, Henkes H, Vokuhl C, Loff S. (2023). A multi-step approach to the treatment of giant scalp congenital hemangiomas: a report of two cases. Frontiers in Surgery. 10: 1045285. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2023.1045285; PMid:37292488 PMCid:PMC10244559

Holm A, Mulliken JB, Bischoff J. (2024). Infantile hemangioma: the common and enigmatic vascular tumor. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 134(8): e172836. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI172836 PMid:38618963 PMCid:PMC11014660

Jiang JC, Xu Q, Fang S, Gao Y, Jin WW. (2021). Sequelae after involution of superficial infantile hemangioma: early intervention with 595-nm pulsed laser combined with 755-nm long-pulsed alexandrite laser versus wait-and-see. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 14: 37-43. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S279140; PMid:33469332 PMCid:PMC7811447

Jung HL. (2021). Update on infantile hemangioma. Clinical and experimental pediatrics. 64(11): 559. https://doi.org/10.3345/cep.2020.02061; PMid:34044479 PMCid:PMC8566803

Khong PL, Ho LW, Chan JH, Leong LL. (1999). MR imaging of breast paraffinomas. AJR. American journal of roentgenology. 173(4): 929-932. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.173.4.10511150; PMid:10511150

Konanur A, Jimenez JE, Kochin M, McCormick A, Salgado C, Yilmaz S et al. (2022). Non-involuting congenital hemangioma with delayed hypertrophy: a case series. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 157: 111102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2022.111102; PMid:35489230

Kong M, Li Y, Wang K, Zhang S, Ji Y. (2023). Infantile hemangioma models: is the needle in a haystack? Journal of translational medicine. 21(1): 308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2022.111102; PMid:35489230

Konoplitskyi DV, Fomin OO, Dmytriiev KD. (2019). Minimally invasive treatment of hemangiomas at children by injection of triamcenjlone and betametason. East European Scientific Journal. 12(52): 7-16.

Kowalska M, Dębek W, Matuszczak E. (2021). Infantile hemangiomas: an update on pathogenesis and treatment. Journal of clinical medicine. 10(20): 4631. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10204631; PMid:34682753 PMCid:PMC8539430

Krol A, MacArthur CJ. (2005). Congenital hemangiomas. Archives of facial plastic surgery. 7; 5: 307-311. https://doi.org/10.1001/archfaci.7.5.307; PMid:16172338

Kumar P, Khatri A, Chowdhury S, Mahajan N, Mathur G. (2022). Incidental finding of intra-abdominal hemangioma in an infant presenting with intestinal obstruction: a case report. World Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 5(1): e000335. https://doi.org/10.1136/wjps-2021-000335; PMid:36474626 PMCid:PMC9717406

Kurzeja M, Pawlik K, Sienicka A, Olszewska M, Rudnicka L. (2022). Infantile hemangioma. Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny. 109(3): 204-216. https://doi.org/10.5114/dr.2022.120178

Lin Q, Cai B, Shan X, Ni X, Chen X, Ke R, Wang B. (2023). Global research trends of infantile hemangioma: A bibliometric and visualization analysis from 2000 to 2022. Heliyon. 9(11). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21300

Lin X, Wang T, Liu C, Deng L, Wang Q, Huang L et al. (2023). The impact of propranolol on the growth and development of children with proliferative infantile hemangioma during treatment. Medicine. 102(23): e33998. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21300; PMid:37920523 PMCid:PMC10618776

MacDougall MS, Afzal SY, Freedman MS, Han P. (2022). Infant in extremis: respiratory failure secondary to lower airway infantile hemangioma. BMC pediatrics. 22(1): 744. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-022-03821-1; PMid:36581920 PMCid:PMC9801545

Mitra R, Fitzsimons HL, Hale T, Tan ST, Gray C, White MP. (2024). Recent advances in understanding the molecular basis of infantile haemangioma development. British Journal of Dermatology. 191(5): 661-669. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljae241; PMid:38845569

Mohammed JA, Balma-Mena A, Chakkittakandiyil A, Matea F, Pope E. (2014). Infrared thermography to assess proliferation and involution of infantile hemangiomas: a prospective cohort study. JAMA dermatology. 150(9): 964-969. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.112; PMid:25073587

Musumeci ML, Schlecht K, Perrotta R, Schwartz RA, Micali G. (2008). Management of cutaneous hemangiomas in pediatric patients. Cutis. 81(4): 315-322.

O'Brien KF, Shah SD, Pope E, Phillips RJ, Blei F, Baselga E et al. (2019). Late growth of infantile hemangiomas in children> 3 years of age: a retrospective study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 80(2): 493-499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2018.07.061; PMid:30293898

Pensabene M, Di Pace MR, Baldanza F, Grasso F, Patti M, Sergio M et al. (2022). Quality of life improving after propranolol treatment in patients with Infantile Hemangiomas. Italian Journal of Pediatrics. 48(1): 140. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-022-01334-2; PMid:35927685 PMCid:PMC9351120

Pereyaslov AA. (2019). Modern classification of hemangiomas. Paediatric surgery. Ukraine. 2(62): 73-78. https://doi.org/10.15574/PS.2019.62.73

Qiu T, Zhang Z, Zhou J, Gong X, Zhang X, Lan Y et al. (2024). Clinical features of rapid involuting congenital hemangioma: A prospective study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 90(4): 870-872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.036; PMid:38231163

Randel A. (2016). Practice Guidelines: American Academy of Pediatrics Releases Report on Infantile Hemangiomas. American Family Physician. 93(6): 526.

Roach EE, Chakrabarti R, Park NI, Keats EC, Yip J et al. (2012). Intrinsic regulation of hemangioma involution by platelet-derived growth factor. Cell death & disease. 3(6): e328-e328. https://doi.org/10.1038/cddis.2012.58; PMid:22717583 PMCid:PMC3388230

Rybalchenko V, Rusak P, Shevchuk D, Rybalchenko I, Konoplitsky D. (2020). Evolution of hemangiom's treatment strategy in children and the contribution of domestic scientists. Paediatric Surgery.Ukraine. 1(66):64-71. https://doi.org/10.15574/PS.2020.66.64

Rybalchenko VF, Rybalchenko IH, Demydenko YuH. (2017). Likuvannia vnutrishnoshkirnykh ta poverkhnevykh hemanhiom u ditei. Childs health. 12(8): 939-942. https://doi.org/10.22141/2224-0551.12.8.2017.119252

Sandru F, Petca A, Radu AM, Preda AG, Turenschi A et al. (2024). Infantile Hemangioma: Risk Factors and Management in a Preterm Patient - A Case Report. Reports. 7(1): 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/reports7010003

Serena T. (2008). Wound closure and gradual involution of an infantile hemangioma using a noncontact, low-frequency ultrasound therapy. Ostomy/wound management. 54(2): 68-71.

Xia M, Liu W, Hou F. (2024). Mast cell in infantile hemangioma. Frontiers in Oncology. 14: 1304478. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2024.1304478; PMid:38313798 PMCid:PMC10834664

Xu W, Zhao H. (2022). Management of infantile hemangiomas: Recent advances. Frontiers in oncology. 12: 1064048. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2022.1064048; PMid:36523969 PMCid:PMC9745076

Yang XJ, Zheng JW, Zhou Q, Ye WM, Wang YA, Zhu HG et al. (2009). A possible mechanism of spontaneous involution of infantile hemangioma. Bioscience Hypotheses. 2(3): 182-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bihy.2009.01.006

Yu Y, Fuhr J, Boye E, Gyorffy S, Soker S, Atala A et al. (2006). Mesenchymal stem cells and adipogenesis in hemangioma involution. Stem cells. 24(6): 1605-1612. https://doi.org/10.1634/stemcells.2005-0298; PMid:16456130

Zou Y, Wu Z, Jin P, Fu R, Cheng J, Bai H et al. (2024). Historical and contemporary management of infantile hemangiomas: a single-center experience. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 15: 1280948. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1280948; PMid:38370473 PMCid:PMC10869534

Published

2025-03-28