A hemangioma is an unexplained buildup of blood vessels in human skin or internal organs. Also called birthmarks or port wine stains, hemangiomas are common benign tumors of the skin. They are often patchy, bright red and characterized by blood vessel lumps. They are most visible at birth and early infancy. Most hemangiomas do not require treatment or removal since they eventually recede on their own. However, if they are large a physician can surgically remove them. The definitive causes of hemangiomas are still being researched and debated.
Estrogen
Estrogen may cause hemangiomas. According to the Children's Hospital Boston, hemangiomas occur in female infants more often than in males. Researchers are studying estrogen hormone receptors to determine if they contribute to hemangiomas and vascular lesions.
Heredity
According to the Yale Medical Group, researchers are investigating the possibility that a hereditary component could cause hemangiomas. The National Organization of Vascular Anomalies reports that 10 percent of infants who develop these tumors have a family history. As a result, hemangiomas may be genetically passed from parent to child.
Skin Pigment
Skin pigmentation maybe a cause of hemangiomas. According to the National Institutes of Health, most hemangiomas occur in Caucasians; they almost never occur in African-Americans. Melanocytes, the cells that pigment the skin, may block the formation of hemangiomas. The lack of melanocytes in Caucasians could contribute to the tumor growth.
