What happens if a hemangioma becomes severe?
Nov 06, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
If hemangiomas continue to progress or are not promptly treated, they may lead to multiple serious adverse consequences, including severe functional impairment, risk of major bleeding, infection spread, compression damage to tissues and organs, and worsening psychological trauma. Management of hemangiomas requires early assessment and timely intervention tailored to the lesion's location and size, in order to prevent disease progression.
If hemangiomas continue to progress or are not promptly treated, they may lead to multiple serious complications in severe cases, including significant functional impairment, risk of massive bleeding, infection spread, compression and damage to tissues and organs, and worsening psychological trauma. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Severe Functional Impairment: Hemangiomas growing in critical areas can severely impair the function of corresponding organs as they enlarge. Lesions near the eye may compress the eyeball and cause blindness; those in the throat may obstruct the airway and lead to breathing difficulties; and lesions around joints may completely restrict limb movement, resulting in partial loss of self-care ability.
2. Risk of Massive Bleeding: As hemangiomas grow larger, the overlying skin or mucosa becomes increasingly thin and fragile, while the lesion itself contains abundant blood vessels. Even minor friction or trauma can cause ulceration and rupture. In severe cases, persistent and profuse bleeding may occur. If this happens in a vital area, it could lead to life-threatening hemorrhage due to excessive blood loss, and controlling the bleeding can be extremely difficult.
3. Infection Spread: Once a hemangioma ruptures, the open wound is susceptible to bacterial invasion, leading to local infection characterized by redness, swelling, pus formation, and ulceration. If the infection is not promptly controlled, it may spread to surrounding tissues, causing cellulitis or even systemic infection, thereby exacerbating physical harm.
4. Compression Damage to Tissues and Organs: Deep-seated hemangiomas that continue to grow exert ongoing pressure on surrounding structures such as blood vessels, nerves, and bones. Prolonged compression can result in impaired local circulation, nerve necrosis, skeletal deformities, and, in severe cases, structural destruction of organs, leading to irreversible functional deficits.
5. Worsening Psychological Trauma: Obvious disfigurement or functional limitations may subject patients to discrimination and social isolation. Particularly among adolescents and adults, this can trigger severe psychological issues such as low self-esteem and depression, leading to social withdrawal and negatively affecting education, career, and personal relationships, ultimately causing long-term psychological distress.
To manage hemangiomas effectively, early evaluation is essential. Appropriate interventions should be selected based on the location and size of the lesion to prevent disease progression. Daily care should focus on protecting the affected area from mechanical trauma, maintaining local cleanliness, and minimizing the risks of ulceration and infection.
