Question:
Is it true that a hemangioma will disappear on its own if left alone? If so, what are the reasons to treat it?
Answer:
Hemangiomas will frequently go away with time. Typically there is a phase known as the proliferate phase during which the hemangioma grows larger. Occasionally during this period if the hemangioma is near an important structure such as the eyes or the airway it could be treated surgically to prevent complications. There is also a phase known as the involutional phase during which the hemangioma essentially disappears. Unfortunately, even when hemangiomas “disappear”, they often leave behind fibrous tissue that in and of itself can be cosmetically unfavorable. Often surgery is needed to remove some of this excess fibrous tissue in order to restore a more normal appearance to the area where the hemangioma had previously been.
About the Author: Dr. Edwin Williams
Dr. Edwin Williams is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who founded The Williams Center in 1993. He has performed over 10,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and has pioneered the deep plane facelift. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery for over a decade, and served as President from 2015-2016. In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Dr. Williams earned the Castle Connelly Top Doctors award in New York Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Edwin F. Williams III attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He began medical school at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Williams is actively involved in teaching facial plastic and reconstruction surgery to the residents of the Albany Medical Center and is former Chief of the Section of Facial and Plastic Reconstruction Surgery at Albany Medical Center where he received an academic appointment of Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery.