Overview
Partially involuting congenital hemangioma (PICH) is a rare type of blood vessel tumor that is fully formed at birth. Unlike the more common infantile hemangiomas that grow after birth, congenital hemangiomas are already present and fully developed when a baby is born. PICH is one of three subtypes of congenital hemangioma. The other two are rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma (RICH), which shrinks quickly after birth, and non-involuting congenital hemangioma (NICH), which does not shrink at all. PICH falls in between — it partially shrinks during the first year or two of life but then stops shrinking and remains as a stable lesion. PICH typically appears as a raised, round, reddish-purple or bluish mass on the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body but is most commonly found on the head, neck, or limbs. The tumor may feel warm to the touch and can have visible blood vessels on its surface. Some lesions may have a pale ring or halo around them. While PICH is not cancerous and does not spread to other parts of the body, it can cause cosmetic concerns and, depending on its location and size, may occasionally lead to complications such as bleeding or skin breakdown. Treatment for PICH depends on the size, location, and symptoms. Many cases are monitored over time with a watch-and-wait approach. If the remaining lesion causes cosmetic or functional problems after partial shrinkage has stopped, surgical removal may be considered. Unlike infantile hemangiomas, PICH generally does not respond to medications like propranolol or corticosteroids.
Key symptoms:
Raised reddish-purple or bluish skin mass present at birthWarm area of skin over the tumorVisible blood vessels on the surface of the lesionPale ring or halo around the tumorPartial shrinkage of the mass during infancy that then stopsRemaining firm or soft lump on the skinSkin discoloration at the site of the lesionOccasional bleeding from the surface of the tumorSkin breakdown or ulceration over the mass in some casesCosmetic changes to the affected area
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Partially involuting congenital hemangioma.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Partially involuting congenital hemangioma.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Partially involuting congenital hemangioma.
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How can you tell if my child's hemangioma is a PICH rather than another type of vascular tumor?,How much shrinkage can we expect, and when will we know if it has stopped shrinking?,What signs should I watch for that would require urgent medical attention?,At what point should we consider surgical removal of the remaining lesion?,Will the lesion leave permanent skin changes or scarring?,Are there any restrictions on my child's activities because of this condition?,Should my child be seen by any other specialists?
Common questions about Partially involuting congenital hemangioma
What is Partially involuting congenital hemangioma?
Partially involuting congenital hemangioma (PICH) is a rare type of blood vessel tumor that is fully formed at birth. Unlike the more common infantile hemangiomas that grow after birth, congenital hemangiomas are already present and fully developed when a baby is born. PICH is one of three subtypes of congenital hemangioma. The other two are rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma (RICH), which shrinks quickly after birth, and non-involuting congenital hemangioma (NICH), which does not shrink at all. PICH falls in between — it partially shrinks during the first year or two of life but then st
How is Partially involuting congenital hemangioma inherited?
Partially involuting congenital hemangioma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Partially involuting congenital hemangioma typically begin?
Typical onset of Partially involuting congenital hemangioma is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.