The term "vascular nevus" refers to a benign neoplasm that can form both on the skin and on the mucous membranes. It is most often diagnosed in children, but it can also appear in adulthood. If a vascular nevus is detected (a photo of the neoplasm is presented below), it is recommended to consult a doctor. This is due to the fact that under the influence of various adverse factors, a benign process can turn into a malignant one, and it is important to exclude this or detect it in a timely manner.
Pathogenesis
Such a birthmark is the result of pathological development and abnormal growth of blood vessels. This specific defect can form on any part of the body. It most often appears on the trunk and limbs, but can also occur on the choroid.
Nevus is represented by specific cells, the formation of which is a consequence of pathological changes in melanocytes. The latter are directly involved in the synthesis of the melanin enzyme,providing the human skin with normal pigmentation.
As a rule, vascular nevi appear in newborns. Much less often they form in adulthood. But even in this case, it is customary to say that the pathology is congenital, it just manifested itself much later.
Etiology
At present, the exact causes of vascular nevi formation in adults and children are unknown. However, it has been proven that the following factors can act as provoking factors:
- The presence of infections of the genitourinary system in a woman during the period of bearing a child.
- Mutations and genetic disorders.
- Sharp fluctuations in hormones (particularly progesterone and estrogen) in a woman's body during pregnancy.
- Irradiation given in high doses during gestation.
- Unhe althy lifestyle that a woman led during pregnancy (drug and alcohol use, smoking).
Under the influence of any of these provoking factors, the process of melanocyte synthesis in the child's body is disrupted. As a result, they begin to accumulate in a certain place. Subsequently, they are transformed into specific cells - nevocytes. It is from them that the birthmark consists.
In adolescence and adulthood, vascular nevus may appear under the influence of the following factors:
- Menopause.
- Signs of inflammatory or allergic reactions on the skin.
- Systematic impact on the body of ultraviolet rays. More often vascular nevi are detected in children who walk on the street during the hours of maximum sun activity. In addition, adults who visit the solarium are susceptible to pathology.
- Taking contraceptives.
- Hormonal changes in the body during adolescence.
At the same time, as mentioned above, the pathology is still congenital. But it manifests itself in adolescence and adulthood only under the influence of one or more provoking factors.
Views
Birthmarks can rise above the surface of the skin, and may be below it. Most often they have an intense shade, but sometimes pigmentless vascular nevi are also found.
In other words, there are many types of such birthmarks. However, in practice, 4 types of vascular nevi are most common:
- Capillary. It is also called simple. This is a spot that forms directly on the skin. It may be red or blue. The tint is very intense. The nevus has clear contours, it can be flat or presented in the form of a nodule. If you press your finger on such a birthmark, it will first turn pale, and then return to its original color.
- Cavernous. Doctors also call such a spot cavernous. A vascular nevus forms under the skin. Outwardly, it looks like a tuberous node, the structure of which is represented by cavities filled with blood. The color of the skin over the nevus is not changedor has a slight bluish tint. If you press your finger on such a bump, it will turn white.
- Combined. This species is characterized by a combination of signs of cavernous and capillary birthmarks. In this case, the vascular nevus consists of two parts. One is under the skin, the other is above it.
- Mixed. The most rarely diagnosed species. In this case, the structure of the neoplasm is represented not only by the vascular, but also by another tissue (connective, nervous or lymphoid).
In 80% of cases, patients have a capillary or cavernous vascular nevus.
Clinical picture
Symptoms directly depend on the type of neoplasm. Cavernous nevus is represented by abnormally enlarged vessels. In this regard, such a birthmark can often bleed. Very rarely, after this, the nevus may partially or even completely disappear without any measures. However, conservative or surgical treatment is most often required.
Capillary spots are usually large. In diameter, they can reach 10 cm. Most often, such a nevus appears precisely during the neonatal period. The birthmark grows very quickly in size in the first few months of a child's life. In most cases, capillary nevus does not require treatment. As practice shows, most often it disappears on its own by the age of 7.
Who should I contact?
The dermatologist is engaged in the treatment of the presented pathological neoplasms. Ifafter the examination, the specialist has suspicions about the nature of the spot, he additionally sends for a consultation with an oncologist.
Diagnosis
Determining the type of nevus for a competent doctor is not difficult. A dermatologist can make a diagnosis already at the stage of a physical examination. The doctor evaluates the structure of the spot, its color and borders, presses on it with a finger and analyzes the result.
During the history taking, the dermatologist asks questions about the patient's lifestyle. In addition, he clarifies what bad habits his mother had during pregnancy.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor can issue a referral for a comprehensive examination, which may include both laboratory and instrumental methods. Most often, it is enough to donate blood for a general analysis. Rarely, a biopsy is required.
Conservative Therapy
In most cases, treatment of vascular nevus is not required. If the doctor does not suspect the presence of a malignant process, he recommends that you simply come to him for a preventive examination twice a year. As mentioned above, birthmarks can disappear on their own.
The exception is the vascular nevus of the conjunctiva in a child or adult. In this case, hormonal therapy is indicated. The choice of the drug is carried out solely on the basis of the examination data and the results of the diagnosis.
Surgical and minimally invasive removal techniques
Excision of vascular nevuscarried out according to indications. In addition, the stain can be removed if it is large or has an unfortunate location (for example, it is a visible cosmetic defect or is localized in areas subject to constant exposure).
Nevus removal techniques:
- Classic. The surgeon uses a scalpel to excise the birthmark and a small area of the skin surrounding it. Surgical removal is the most reliable way. As a rule, they resort to it when the nevus is very large.
- Cryodestruction. The essence of the technique is the impact on the problem area with liquid nitrogen. The tissue in the freezing area dies. Gradually, he althy cells begin to form in this place.
- Electrocoagulation. The method is suitable for removing small stains. During the excision of pathologically altered tissue, the doctor acts on the wound with high temperatures. This keeps her from bleeding.
- Laser removal. The nevus is excised with a beam.
- Radiosurgical method. Its essence lies in the impact on the birthmark of radiation. The method does not pose a he alth hazard.
The choice of technique is carried out by a doctor. If several methods are suitable for the patient at once, the financial side of the procedure is negotiated.
Possible Complications
You should consult a doctor immediately after discovering an unusual birthmark. This is due to the fact that the vascular nevus can transform into a malignant tumor. The most unfavorable outcome is considered in which the stainturned into melanoma. It is important to know that skin cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases that poses a danger not only to he alth, but also to human life.
There are several factors, the presence of which may indicate the imminent process of transformation of a benign neoplasm into a malignant one:
- The presence of huge nevi on the skin or mucous membrane. At the same time, large birthmarks are already present on the baby's body at birth.
- Formation of nevi in adulthood or old age.
- Permanent formation of new vascular birthmarks on the body.
- The nevus is located in an area that is constantly exposed to friction with clothes.
- In the area of localization of the birthmark, the skin is inflamed.
In the presence of such signs, you should immediately contact a dermatologist and oncologist.
There are also factors that indicate that the process of malignancy has already begun:
- Nevus is rapidly increasing in size.
- There is discomfort in the area of the birthmark (more often it is tingling, itching and burning).
- Nevus has become darker in color.
- The surface of the stain has become bumpy.
- The contours of the nevus blurred.
- The skin around the spot is peeling off.
If at least one of the listed signs appears, you must urgently go to a medical institution where the nevus will be quickly removed using one of the modern methods.
Prevention
In order to prevent the transition of a benign process into a malignant one, it is necessary to periodically examine the body for new birthmarks. In addition, people with vascular nevi are advised to visit a dermatologist every year for prevention.
Naturally, it is also necessary to exclude the possibility of adverse factors affecting the body.
In closing
Vascular nevus is a birthmark, the structure of which is represented by nevocytes. Most often, it is detected shortly after the birth of the child. Less commonly, a spot forms in adolescence, middle age, and even old age. Nevus treatment can include both conservative and surgical techniques.
