Since our founding in 1997, we have been collecting extensive knowledge on vascular malformations worldwide. Our Pedia is a user-friendly knowledge base.
Vascular anomalies are divided into malformations (such as capillary, venous, lymphatic, and arteriovenous malformations) and tumors (such as hemangiomas). These anomalies are often present at birth but may only become visible later and can be symptomatic or asymptomatic.
Most vascular malformations are caused by somatic genetic mutations during embryonic development and are not inherited.
Due to mosaicism, the impact varies per individual: the timing and location of the mutation determine the clinical presentation.
Early referral is important: non-concerning conditions can be referred to a dermatologist or surgeon; suspicious conditions should be evaluated by multidisciplinary teams.
Treatment may include medication (such as sirolimus, alpelisib), laser therapy, or interventional radiology — depending on the type and symptoms.
Laser therapy targets superficial lesions and works through chromophores and pulsed dye lasers; it is most effective for facial malformations.
Interventional radiology (embolization/sclerotherapy) is a minimally invasive, image-guided treatment approach.
Genetic insights enable targeted therapies; ongoing research is exploring mutation-specific treatments.
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