Non-involuting congenital hemangioma

Title

Other Names:

NICH; Noninvoluting congenital hemangioma

Categories:

Blood Diseases; Congenital and Genetic Diseases; Rare Cancers

Summary Summary

Non-involuting congenital hemangioma (NICH) is a rare type of infantile hemangioma, which is a tumor that forms from the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the skin. NICH looks like an oval, purplish mark or bump that can occur on any part of the body. NICH is present from birth (congenital) and increases in size as the child grows. Unlike other hemangiomas, NICH do not disappear spontaneously (involute).^[1]

Last updated: 12/11/2011

Diagnosis Diagnosis

Non-involuting congenital hemangioma (NICH) is diagnosed by taking a biopsy of the skin mark and examining the tissue under a microscope. NICH looks different under the microscope than most infantile hemangiomas because the blood vessels are arranged more irregularly. Also, the cells in an NICH do not have glucose receptors, whereas the cells of almost all hemangiomas do have glucose receptors. Finally, NICH is different from more common types of hemangiomas because NICH does not spontaneously disappear (involute). Instead, NICH remains stable over time.^[1]

Last updated: 12/11/2011

Treatment Treatment

Because non-involuting congenital hemangioma (NICH) is quite rare, there are no established guidelines for the treatment of this condition. However, the authors of one article on NICH suggest that there is no risk for excessive bleeding during the removal of an NICH and it is unlikely to regrow after surgery.^[1] Because NICH is a benign skin mark, surgery isn't necessary but can be considered to improve appearance of the skin.

Last updated: 12/11/2011

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In-Depth Information

The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Non-involuting congenital hemangioma. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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My son was born with a vascular lesion in the right groin area. A biopsy of the lesion suggested it is likely to be a non-involuting congenital hemangioma (NICH), but there is a possibility it is a kaposiform hemangioendothelioma. I would like to know why it has not been possible to determine which of the two it actually is and why surgical excision will be necessary in the future. See answer

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References References

Enjolras O, Mulliken JB, Boon LM, Wassef M, Kozakewich HP, Burrows PE. Noninvoluting congenital hemangioma: a rare cutaneous vascular anomaly. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2001; 107:1647-1654. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11391180. Accessed 12/6/2011.

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