Definition:
Hemangioendothelioma refers to a group of vascular neoplasms that may be either benign or malignant. Around 10% of cases are associated with other syndromes including lymphedema, early onset varicose veins, Mafucci's syndrome, and Klippel-Trenauay-Weber syndrome.
There are 3 types of hemangioendotheliomas: retiform, epitheloid, and kaposiform.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is made based on the growth patterns of the tumors. Imaging scans are done to confirm the diagnosis, this includes a sonograph as well as a histological findings.
Treatment:
Surgery remains to be treatment of choice for sufferers of hemangioendothelioma, as well as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms are described as falling in between an angiosarcoma and hemangioma. These vascular tumors are usually found in the intestines, neck, head, pleura, lungs, lymph nodes, retroperitoneum, and stomach as well as other parts of the body.
Causes:
The causes of hemangioendothelioma remain unknown although there is suspicion that certain factors may provoke the disease: contraceptive pills, inhalation of chemicals or pesticides, and exposure to vinyl chloride.
Hemangioendothelioma affects both genders.
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