MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Cherry angioma

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Cherry angioma

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms	Signs and tests Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider

Illustrations

Skin layers

Alternative names Return to top

Angioma - cherry; Senile angioma

Definition Return to top

A cherry angioma is a benign skin growth that appears as a small, smooth, cherry-red bump.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

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 Return to top

Skin lesion or growth:

Small -- pinhead size to about 1/4 inch in diameter
Bright red
Smooth

Signs and tests Return to top

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 Return to top

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) Return to top

Cherry angiomas are benign and generally harmless. Removal usually does not cause scarring.

Complications Return to top

Changes in appearance
Psychological distress
Bleeding

Calling your health care provider Return to top

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.

Update Date: 1/11/2003

Updated by: Glen H. Crawford, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.