Angioma
Vascular Malformation
a cure through research
What are Angioma and Vascular Malformations and how are they treated
The term angioma is often used generically to indicate any "red spot" or "vascular birthmark", but today the scientific classification clearly distinguishes between vascular tumors, such as infantile hemangioma, and vascular malformations, which are structural defects of blood or lymphatic vessels that are present at birth and persist throughout life.
Understanding the difference between angioma and vascular malformation is essential in order to choose the most appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic pathway.
What is an angioma
The term angioma usually refers to benign vascular lesions of the skin or deeper tissues, visible as red or purplish spots, nodules, or swellings. Most angiomas are infantile hemangiomas, vascular tumors that appear in the first weeks of life, grow rapidly during the first year, and then regress spontaneously over the following years, sometimes without the need for treatment.
READ more on Angioma
Angioma, or hemangioma is the most common tumor of infancy. You can find all the detailed informations in the dedicated page.
What is a vascular malformation
A vascular malformation is not a tumor that grows and regresses, but rather a permanent structural abnormality of the vessels (capillaries, veins, arteries, lymphatic vessels) due to a developmental error in the embryonic period. It is present from birth, although it may become evident later, grows slowly together with the patient, tends to increase over time, and does not regress spontaneously.
According to the ISSVA classification, vascular malformations are divided into:
capillary malformations (for example "port-wine stains" or capillary angioma);
venous malformations;
lymphatic malformations;
arteriovenous malformations;
combined forms and syndromes
READ more on VASCULAR MALFORMATIONS
Vascular malformations can affect endothelial cells of all types of blood vessels as well as lympatic ones. Visit the dedicated page here:
Difference between angioma and hemangioma, angioma and vascular malformation
In clinical practice, many patients use the term "angioma" to refer to any vascular lesion. However, for physicians, it is crucial to distinguish between two main categories:
Recognizing whether a lesion is a proliferating angioma/hemangioma or a vascular malformation changes the prognosis, the type of follow-up, and the timing of treatment.
A benign vascular tumor that is typically not present at birth (or appears only as a very subtle precursor lesion). It is characterized by a phase of rapid growth followed by gradual regression.
Treatment: In some cases, simple observation is sufficient. Medical intervention may involve beta-blockers. Other options include laser therapy or surgery.
A permanent structural defect of the vessels that is present from birth. Unlike hemangiomas, these do not have a true proliferative phase and never undergo spontaneous involution.
Treatment: These require specialist assessment and targeted interventions such as:
Laser therapy
Sclerotherapy or electrosclerotherapy
Surgery
Specific pharmacological treatments
Diagnosis of angioma and vascular malformation
Diagnosis begins with a consultation at a center dedicated to vascular anomalies, where the physician evaluates the age of onset, growth rate, color, consistency, and any presence of pain or bleeding.
When necessary, non-invasive examinations are used, such as:
- Ultrasound with Color Doppler
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or CT scan
- Functional circulatory tests
An accurate diagnosis makes it possible to determine whether the lesion is an angioma, an infantile hemangioma, a vascular malformation, or part of complex associated syndromes (such as PHACES or other rare conditions).
Modern treatments for angioma and vascular malformation
Not all lesions require immediate treatment. In some cases, periodic monitoring is sufficient; in others, intervention is indicated to prevent complications or improve quality of life.
The primary options include:
Pharmacological therapies: (e.g., systemic or topical beta-blockers for infantile hemangioma).
Vascular lasers: for capillary malformations.
Sclerotherapy and electrosclerotherapy: for venous and lymphatic malformations.
Surgery: often combined with minimally invasive techniques.
Multidisciplinary pathways: within centers dedicated to vascular anomalies.
At angioma.eu, patients can find clear information on angiomas, hemangiomas, and vascular malformations, understand when it is appropriate to consult a specialist, and learn about the main treatment options based on ISSVA international Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies
FAQ
The term angioma is often used generically, but a vascular malformation is a structural abnormality of blood or lymphatic vessels present at birth, which grows with the patient and does not regress spontaneously. Understanding this difference is essential because diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment are not the same.
Diagnosis begins with a specialist consultation that evaluates age of onset, growth pattern, color, consistency, pain, and bleeding. When needed, imaging studies such as ultrasound with Color Doppler, MRI, CT scan, and functional circulatory tests are used to define the lesion and distinguish it from a hemangioma or other vascular anomalies.
No. Infantile hemangioma is a benign vascular tumor that appears in the first weeks of life, grows rapidly during infancy, and often regresses over time. A vascular malformation is not a tumor: it is present at birth, does not regress spontaneously, and usually persists throughout life unless treated.
Treatment depends on the type of lesion and may include vascular laser therapy, sclerotherapy, electrosclerotherapy, surgery, or a multidisciplinary treatment plan. Some cases require only periodic monitoring, while others need active treatment to prevent complications or improve the patient's quality of life.
Yes. Vascular malformations are congenital lesions caused by developmental abnormalities of capillaries, veins, arteries, or lymphatic vessels during embryonic life. Even when they are not immediately visible, they are present from birth and may become more evident over time.
No. Unlike many infantile hemangiomas, vascular malformations do not regress spontaneously and often become more noticeable as the patient grows. This is why a correct diagnosis is important for long-term follow-up and treatment planning.
About me
Prof. Giacomo Colletti
Giacomo Colletti
Prof. Giacomo Colletti is a maxillofacial surgeon and university professor with a specific clinical and scientific interest in angiomas and vascular malformations of the head and neck region. For decades he has been involved in the diagnosis and treatment of infantile hemangiomas, venous, lymphatic and arteriovenous malformations, with particular attention to complex lesions of the face and upper airways.
He carries out his work in multidisciplinary referral centers, where he collaborates with dermatologists, interventional radiologists, anesthesiologists and other specialists to offer patients a personalized pathway, based on the most recent international guidelines and the most modern minimally invasive techniques (laser, sclerotherapy, electrosclerotherapy, hybrid surgical-interventional procedures).
He was the first in the world to conceive and introduce innovative minimally invasive techniques such as the use of radiofrequency plasma for treating Venous and Lymphatic Malformations and MEST (Modified ElectroScleroTherapy) for the treatment of AVMs.
He performs the treatment of complex cases in the centers of Lyon and Poznan and also sees patients in the United States, in New York.
In addition to his clinical activity, Giacomo Colletti is the author of numerous scientific articles and book chapters on vascular anomalies.
Many of these publications are available on PubMed, the reference site for international scientific works. You can find them here.
You can click here to read the list of works in chronological order on the uniMORE University website.
He is frequently invited to present his techniques at major international conferences.
Giacomo Colletti is a lecturer in Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery at uniMORE, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
Here you can find his faculty page at the University: UNI-FIND Giacomo Colletti
The goal of angioma.eu is to provide patients and families with clear, up-to-date and reliable information on angiomas and vascular malformations, to facilitate access to proper specialist evaluation and to guide each person in making informed therapeutic choices.
What they say
What our patients say
Thank you
Dear Dr. Colletti,
We want to thank you for the time you spent with us. We truly valued the opportunity to speak with you and were so grateful for your honesty, thoughtfulness, and clarity.
It was incredibly refreshing to be able to walk through the MRI images together and to have you take the time to explain and educate us in such a clear, compassionate way.
That experience meant more to me than I can easily express. We have not often had doctors approach our situation in that manner, and it made a profound difference in how comfortable and supported we felt.
You made what has been a very confusing and emotional journey feel calmer and more manageable. We felt that we could genuinely trust you, and I so appreciated how approachable, kind, and human you were throughout our conversation. We truly enjoyed speaking with you and are very grateful for your guidance.
J.W., mother of R.W.
“
I met Prof. Colletti in 2023 after a lifetime of misdiagnoses. He diagnosed me with an AVM on my lip and proposed his experimental treatment. I began the journey with his personal guidance and it literally changed my life. No more bleeding, no more blood pressure swings, no more problems. The quality of my life has improved incredibly. He was my guardian angel, always available and compassionate, something extremely rare nowadays. I will be forever grateful to him ❤️
beatrice bianchi
“
My name is Ernesto, I am 22 years old, and today I can say I was reborn for the second time.
Thanks to the exceptional work of Prof. Giacomo Colletti.
Before meeting him, I went through the 6 worst years of my life, to the point that I had lost all hope.
It all started when I was a newborn and had an angioma on my right ear. At first the doctors said not to worry and that it would go away with time. 17 years passed with those words. Then I started looking for a surgeon because it was beginning to cause problems (it was growing much more frequently, the blood pulsations were getting stronger) and I traveled from Naples to Rome, Salerno, Milan, etc... I went through much of Italy but without any results.
On August 15, 2019, I had a hemorrhage and I can say I saw death with my own eyes. I was losing too much blood... so quickly... an indescribable scene.
Then in March 2022 I had a consultation with Prof. Giacomo Colletti, and that day I truly understood what I had. I finally learned the name of my condition: AVM (arteriovenous malformations) and how I could be treated.
From that day on, the Professor was my guardian angel. He followed me throughout my long journey, I put my trust in him and he took good care of me.
I was terrified of what I had to face, but with his gentle, kind manner he never made me feel the weight of the procedures.
Today I am grateful to him because, as I said at the beginning of my story, he made me reborn for the second time.
A warm greeting to Prof. Giacomo Colletti and as we always say "Te voglj ben".
I hope my story can help many people.
ernesto esposito
Le Nuove Tecniche per Curare le Malformazioni Vascolari
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