[Regression phase as therapeutic goal of cryosurgical treatment of growing capillary infantile hemangiomas. Treatment decision, treatment strategy and results of an open clinical study].
OBJECTIVE
Cryosurgery is a widely accepted modality for the treatment of capillary hemangiomas of the newborn. However, no studies clearly supporting its effectivity are available.


METHODS
Out of 116 consecutive outpatients with 147 hemangiomas, 105 growing tumors in 91 patients were treated by cryosurgery. 13 further growing tumors were not treated because of lack of parental consent. Hemangiomas without growth within the last 2 weeks and with clinical signs of regression were not treated. After a follow-up of 1 year, the outcome of the treatment was classified as either regression (> 10% size reduction), no change (size alteration < 10%) or progression (> 10% size growth). The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed as clinical improvement of the hemangioma on an arbitrary scale per treatment session.


RESULTS
Cryosurgery of growing hemangiomas efficiently initiated the regression phase (p < 0.05), in the most cases (68%) after a single treatment. Cryotherapy was most effective when employed in older children (p < 0.05) and for small hemangiomas (p < 0.05). Probably, this reflects associated spontaneous regression.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus cryosurgery is a verifiably effective treatment modality for infantile capillary hemangiomas, shortening significantly their growth phase.
Bassukas
I D
ID
Klinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Medizinische Universität Lübeck.
Abuzahra
F
F
Hundeiker
M
M
D003452:Cryosurgery; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018324:Hemangioma, Capillary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome