From the Guidelines
Cherry angiomas are benign skin growths that do not require treatment, unless they bleed, change in appearance, or cause cosmetic concerns, in which case removal options such as electrocautery, laser therapy, shave excision, or cryotherapy may be considered 1.
Characteristics of Cherry Angiomas
- They appear as small, bright red or purple spots on the skin
- Typically range from 1-5mm in diameter
- Usually develop after age 30 and tend to increase in number with age
- Most commonly appear on the trunk, arms, and legs, but can occur anywhere on the body
Management of Cherry Angiomas
- No treatment is necessary for cherry angiomas as they are harmless and not associated with any medical conditions
- Removal options include electrocautery, laser therapy, shave excision, or cryotherapy
- These procedures are typically quick and performed in a dermatologist's office
- It's essential to monitor any skin growth for changes in size, shape, color, or bleeding, as these could indicate a more serious condition requiring medical evaluation
Development of Cherry Angiomas
- Cherry angiomas develop due to the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells
- The exact cause remains unknown, with genetics and hormonal factors likely playing a role
- They are not associated with any underlying medical conditions and do not require further evaluation unless they exhibit suspicious changes 1.
Clinical Considerations
- Clinicians should be aware of the different types of vascular anomalies, including infantile hemangiomas, congenital hemangiomas, and vascular malformations 1
- The classification of vascular anomalies is based on their cellular features, natural history, and clinical behavior
- A thorough understanding of these conditions is essential for accurate diagnosis and management.
From the Research
Definition and Diagnosis of Cherry Adenoma
- Cherry adenoma, also known as cherry angioma, is a benign vascular proliferation of endothelial cells associated with aging 2.
- The diagnosis of cherry adenoma is usually based on its appearance and the patient's clinical history, although biopsy is sometimes required 3, 4.
Treatment Options for Cherry Adenoma
- Treatment options for cherry angiomas include laser therapy, electrodesiccation, cryotherapy, sclerotherapy, electrosurgery, and radiofrequency ablation 2, 5.
- Laser therapy, particularly pulsed dye laser (PDL), is a preferred treatment option due to its effectiveness and minimal procedure-related pain 2, 5.
- Electrosurgery, such as electrodesiccation, is also an effective treatment option, but it may result in textural changes 5.
Comparison of Treatment Options
- A randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of PDL, potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser, and electrodesiccation in treating cherry angiomata, and found that all three treatments were effective, but PDL and KTP laser resulted in less textural change than electrodesiccation 5.
- Another study found that non-laser therapies, such as cryotherapy and sclerotherapy, are also effective in treating cherry angiomas, but no therapy proved to be superior 2.