What is a Lymphangioma?

A lymphangioma is a rare noncancerous fluid-filled skin bump (cyst) due to lymph vessels growing too much. Lymph vessels (or channels) carry lymphatic fluid and white blood cells throughout your tissues and bloodstream. When your child has an obstruction in their lymph vessels, fluid builds up at the obstruction to form cysts.

Most lymphangioma occur when your child is born. They most commonly develop on the head and neck but can develop anywhere on the body.

Who does a lymphangioma affect?

Lymphangioma most often occur in infants from birth to 5 years of age. The disorder is most prevalent in children with genetic disorders such as:

Down syndrome.
Noonan syndrome.
Trisomy 13.
Trisomy 18.
Trisomy 21.
Turner syndrome.

What are the signs of lymphangioma?

Symptoms of lymphangioma are individual to the individual diagnosed with the condition and depend on the size (depth) and location of the cyst, such as:

Cystic hygroma (cystic lymphangioma): A red to blue swollen, fluid-filled mass usually located on the neck, groin or armpit.
Cavernous lymphangioma: A red to blue swollen, rubbery mass usually located on the tongue but can occur anywhere on the body.
Lymphangioma circumscriptum: An occasional small cluster of pink to red to brown to black pimple-sized blisters containing fluid located on the mouth, shoulders, neck, arms, and legs.

Every cyst, regardless of size, has fluid in it. Clear fluid will spill out if an injury causes a cyst to rupture.

Lymphangiomas are not usually painful and should never be itchy. Lymphangiomas are nearly always benign (noncancerous) and are only seldom life-threatening. Life-threatening lymphangiomas are based on the size and location of the cyst, particularly if the cyst obstructs an essential organ such as your child's eyes, mouth or lungs and stops them from using their body as they should.

What causes lymphangioma?

The reason for lymphangiomas is not specifically known, but they occur because your child's lymphatic system did not develop normally in the womb.

Your body contains a network of vessels, tissues and organs that transport lymphatic fluid, which holds white blood cells, through your tissues and bloodstream. This system is called the lymphatic system, and it controls how much fluid is in your body so that your immune system can function correctly. Similar to a hose filled with water, your lymphatic system keeps on flowing.

Other times, the lymph fluid inside the lymph vessel becomes clogged, like a kink in a hose. This causes a puddle of lymph fluid to build up in front of the clog, which is seen as a liquid-filled swelling on the skin (cyst).

How is lymphangioma diagnosed?

Depending on the large lymphangioma, the cyst can be diagnosed by a prenatal ultrasound before birth. After your child is born, the cyst will be evaluated by your doctor. They may request an ultrasound or MRI to get more information about the size and how it formed.

If there are no lymphangiomas at birth, the cysts may develop between birth and 2 years of age, occasionally up to 5 years. Cysts become more apparent with age.

How is lymphangioma treated?

Once diagnosed, your child's doctor will determine treatment for each cyst. Because lymphangiomas are benign, they do not usually require treatment.

Treatment may be required if the cyst is big enough to stop your child from moving or if it's obstructing an essential organ. Your physician will try to have the cyst taken out by conducting:

Surgery.
Laser treatment.
Sclerotherapy.

Are there any treatment complications?

There are strong chances of the cyst reappearing after treatment because it is hard to identify and remove all the infected lymphatic cells responsible for the cyst's formation. Surface-level cysts have fewer chances of regrowing because it is easy to remove most of the cells. There are also other cysts that are large and embedded in the skin. Such cysts are hard to extract, and they are prone to regrowing once extracted.

There is a significant risk of infection after the operation, which may complicate the healing process. Preventing infection by cleaning and properly caring for the surgical site results in the best outcome.

How do I prevent lymphangioma?

You can't stop lymphangiomas from occurring because they are a product of abnormal lymphatic system development that occurred while your child was developing. In other instances, lymphangiomas are a sign of an underlying genetic disorder. If you are thinking of becoming pregnant and would like to know if you are at risk for having a child with a genetic disorder, discuss genetic testing with your healthcare provider.

What does my child expect if he has a lymphangioma?

Most lymphangiomas are not life-threatening and won't result in any health issues for your child. In limited situations where the size or position of the cyst affects functioning organs, e.g., located on the chest, around the eyes or mouth, organs may function ineffectively.

As your child's caregiver, watch for lymphangioma. Contact your doctor if you see changes in the size, color, or position of the cyst or if the cyst hinders your child from moving normally.

How long does a lymphangioma last?

Lymphangiomas are not curable, and they tend to become more pronounced as people age. Your child's lymphangioma does not often just disappear, but if the cyst is large or in a spot that could be dangerous to their health, they may need treatment. If your child has tiny lymphangiomas, they do not need to be treated, and their cyst is a part of what makes them special.

When do I need to visit my doctor?

Discuss with your doctor if your child's lymphangioma:

Grows or changes shape.
Turns a different colour.
It is warm to the touch.
Infects after surgery (leaks yellow or clear pus).
Limits your child's ability to move or use part of their body.

What do I ask my doctor?

Does my child's lymphangioma require removal?
What are the chances that my child's lymphangioma will recur after surgery?
What should I do if my child hurts their lymphangioma?

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for lymphangioma treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers lymphangioma treatment in Lucknow, India. We have an experienced team of ENT specialists and surgeons skilled in managing complex conditions like lymphangioma. Using advanced diagnostic imaging, minimally invasive techniques like sclerotherapy and laser surgery, and personalized care, we ensure safe, effective outcomes.