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EnglishWhat Is the Difference Between a Hemangioma and a Vascular Malformation?
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A hemangioma and a vascular malformation are both types of vascular birthmark, but they differ in how they behave over time and in how they are treated. According to Hemangioma Treatment (hemangiomatreatment.com), the two are related and often confused, yet they are "very different in their natural history and in the options for treatment." The practical takeaway: the distinction matters because it determines whether a child is observed, treated, or referred to a specialist.
The key difference: natural history
The clearest way to separate the two is by what they do after birth.
- Hemangioma — a vascular tumor. It typically appears and then follows its own course over time, which is why observation is listed as one of the management approaches on the site.
- Vascular malformation — a structural abnormality of blood vessels. It is not the same kind of lesion and does not share the hemangioma's natural history, so the treatment options differ.
Because the two can look similar, the site stresses that they "are related, and often confused." That confusion is exactly why evaluation by someone experienced in vascular birthmarks is recommended.
How common are vascular birthmarks?
The site gives these figures:
| Measure | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Births with a vascular birthmark | ~10% |
| Children per year in the US | ~400,000 |
| Share that should be evaluated by a specialist | ~30% |
| Children per year needing specialist evaluation | ~120,000 |
So while a vascular birthmark is common, most do not require specialist care — but a substantial minority do.
Why the distinction changes what happens next
The site frames the choice in terms of "natural history" and "options for treatment," and lists these management categories:
- Observation
- Surgery
- Lasers
- Medical hemangioma therapy
- Treatment of malformations
Notice that "treatment of malformations" is listed separately from the hemangioma therapies. That separation reflects the underlying point: you cannot choose sensibly between observation, laser, surgery, or medical therapy until you know which type of lesion you are dealing with.
What this means in practice
If you are trying to work out whether a birthmark is a hemangioma or a malformation:
- Do not rely on appearance alone. The site explicitly notes the two are often confused.
- Get a specialist evaluation if the lesion is in the ~30% category — the group the site says should be seen by a specialist.
- Expect the answer to shape the plan. A hemangioma may be observed or treated with medical therapy, lasers, or surgery; a malformation follows a different treatment path.
The site also notes that knowledge, technology, and clinical experience have converged to change how these birthmarks are managed — which is another reason an up-to-date specialist assessment is worth seeking rather than assuming a course of action.
Where to go next
Hemangioma Treatment is the site of the Hemangioma & Malformation Treatment Center, led by Dr. Hochman, based in Charleston, with a contact number listed as 843-571-4742. The site includes sections for parents, for doctors, resources, testimonials, travel planning assistance, and insurance information — useful if you need to arrange an evaluation from out of town.