Infantile Hemangioma (IH) is the most common benign tumor of infancy. Although statistically, IH are benign and innocuous, but a significant number of IH are life altering, causing disfigurement, pain and loss of function of organ structures including vision.    Currently there are no standards of care or treatment protocols which dictate treatment of infantile hemangioma.  There are no FDA approved medical treatments for infantile hemangioma. 

Glucocorticosteroids have been used as the primary medical therapy for slowing/stopping the growth of a growing hemangioma.    Unfortunately, how they work on a hemangioma is not well understood, and there are significant side effects.  Other medical therapies including alpha2a-interferon and vincristine can be effective but the risk of serious side effects is great. 

NOVA PROVIDES THIS INFORMATION TO FAMILIES AS A RESOURCE. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE OR TO REPLACE THE PHYSICIAN. NOVA DOES NOT CLAIM TO HAVE MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE. NOVA DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY PARTICULAR PHYSICIAN, TREATING FACILITY OR TREATMENT PROTOCAL. IN ALL CASES NOVA AND ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU SEEK THE OPINION OF A PHYSICIAN EXPERIENCED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HEMANGIOMAS AND VASCULAR MALFORMATIONS. 

THIS WEB SITE IS OPERATED BY THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF VASCULAR ANOMALIES BOARD OF DIRECTORS.  NOVA BOARD .  CONTACT WEB MASTER AT admin@mail.novanews.org.