Current knowledge of the pathogenesis of infantile hemangiomas.
Infantile hemangiomas are the most common benign tumor of infancy, occurring shortly after birth in 5% to 10% of white infants. Hemangiomas occur in infants of all races but are most common in those who are white. These lesions are preponderant in females compared with males at rates of 3:1 to 5:1. Many hemangiomas are discrete, well-circumscribed masses present in the head and neck. Some hemangiomas are segmental and diffuse, often involving large areas of the extremities or the head and neck. Chorionic villus sampling at 9 to 12 weeks of gestation has been associated with a 21% increased incidence of hemangiomas in infants. Most hemangiomas occur sporadically without a hereditary component. However, in a few families, hemangiomas segregate as a highly penetrant, autosomal dominant trait. Gene linkage studies of familial infantile hemangiomas show evidence of linkage to chromosome 5q31-33.
Phung
Thuy L
TL
Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass 02215, USA. tphung@bidmc.harvard.edu
Hochman
Marcelo
M
Mihm
Martin C
MC
D000367:Age Factors; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology