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Cherry angioma |
| Definition: |
| A cherry angioma is a benign skin growth that appears as a small, smooth, cherry-red bump.
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| Alternative Names: |
| Angioma - cherry; Senile angioma
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| Causes, incidence, and risk factors: |
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Cherry angiomas are benign, fairly common skin growths that vary in size. They can occur almost anywhere on the body but usually develop on the trunk. They are most common after age 40. The cause is unknown. Although painless and harmless, cherry angiomas may bleed profusely if injured. |
| Symptoms: |
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Skin lesion or growth:
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| Signs and tests: |
| Your health care provider will probably diagnose a cherry angioma based on the appearance of the growth. No further tests are usually necessary, though a skin biopsy may be used to confirm the diagnosis. |
| Treatment: |
| Cherry angiomas generally do not need to be treated. If they are cosmetically displeasing or prone to bleeding, angiomas may be removed by surgery, freezing (cryotherapy), burning (electrosurgery/cautery), or laser. |
| Expectations (prognosis): |
| Cherry angiomas are benign and generally harmless. Removal usually does not cause scarring. |
| Complications: |
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| Calling your health care provider: |
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Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of a cherry angioma and you would like to have it removed. Also call if the appearance of a cherry angioma or any skin lesion changes. |
Reviewed By: Glen H. Crawford, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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