Haemangiomas

A haemangioma is a growth or swelling of the cells that line the blood vessels. For this reason, it is considered a vascular tumour, although it is benign (ie, not cancer). The terms ‘strawberry naevus’ or ‘strawberry haemangioma’ are commonly used.  This is because if they are located on the surface of the skin, they look like a ripe strawberry. However, if they are just under the skin they often appear as a bluish swelling. Haemangiomas can also occur on the liver and can also grow in other internal organs, such as the larynx, or small and large intestine.