Evolving strategy in treatment of infantile hemangiomas: from steroids to propranolol

Abstract

Infantile hemangiomas are the most common vascular tumors of the early childhood. Increased incidence of infantile hemangiomas can be attributed to widespread use of assisted reproductive technologies. Majority of hemangiomas in infantile age group resolve spontaneously and only a small proportion of the cases with infantile hemangiomas requires treatment. GLUT-ONE acronym (Giant infantile hemangiomas, Liver and/or other visceral organ involvement, Ulcerated or bleeding infantile hemangiomas, Threatening of life, Organ dysfunctioning infantile hemangiomas, Non-localized infantile hemangiomas, Esthetic/cosmetic compromise) can help clinicians for the rapid decision of treatment. Corticosteroids have long been the mainstay treatment for hemangiomatous lesions but after the description of antiproliferative effect of propranolol on severe infantile hemangiomas in 2008, propranolol has been the preferred choice of treatment in many centers. Future studies should be directed to answer the questions regarding the optimal duration of propranolol treatment to overcome recurrences and clinical and histopathological characteristics of infantile hemangiomas that failed treatment with propranolol. [Cukurova Med J 2016; 41(2.000): 354-359]

Keywords

• Infantile hemangiomas
• steroids
• propranolol
• treatment indications
• glut-one