Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedlinePlus
español Home Health Topics Drug Information Medical Encyclopedia Dictionary News Directories Other Resources

 

Medical Encyclopedia

Other encyclopedia topics:  A-Ag  Ah-Ap  Aq-Az  B-Bk  Bl-Bz  C-Cg  Ch-Co  Cp-Cz  D-Di  Dj-Dz  E-Ep  Eq-Ez  F  G  H-Hf  Hg-Hz  I-In  Io-Iz  J  K  L-Ln  Lo-Lz  M-Mf  Mg-Mz  N  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q  R  S-Sh  Si-Sp  Sq-Sz  T-Tn  To-Tz  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  0-9 

Juvenile angiofibroma

Printer-friendly versionEmail this page to a friend
Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Nasal mucosa
Nasal mucosa

Alternative names    Return to top

Nasal tumor; Angiofibroma - juvenile; Benign nasal tumor

Definition    Return to top

Juvenile angiofibroma is a benign growth of the back of the nose or upper throat (nasopharynx) that contains many blood vessels.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top

Juvenile angiofibroma is relatively uncommon. It typically is discovered in adolescent boys and is associated with nasal obstruction a visible nasal mass and nosebleeds (epistaxis). The tumor is locally invasive and capable of eroding bone.

Symptoms    Return to top

Signs and tests    Return to top

Angiofibroma may be visible on examination of the nasopharynx.

Treatment    Return to top

Treatment is required if the angiofibroma is enlarging, obstructing the airway, or causing chronic nosebleeds. In some cases, no treatment is necessary.

Surgical treatment includes removal of the tumor. Removal is often difficult because the tumor is unencapsulated and may be deeply invasive. Recurrence of the tumor after surgical resection is common.

Clotting of the vessels of the tumor (embolization) may cause the tumor to scar and stop bleeding. Embolization is performed by injecting a substance into the blood vessel to block blood flow through it. Embolization may be adequate by itself to correct the nosebleeds, or it may be followed by surgery to remove the tumor.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Although not cancerous, angiofibromas may continue to expand. They may disappear spontaneously. There is a high rate of recurrence after surgical removal.

Complications    Return to top

Calling your health care provider    Return to top

Call your health care provider if repeated or frequent nosebleeds occur.

Prevention    Return to top

There is no known way to prevent this condition.

Update Date: 10/30/2003

Updated by: Philip L. Graham III, M.D., M.S., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of New York, Columbia University, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

adam.com logo

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.