Hamartoma vs Hemangioma: Difference and Comparison

Hemangiomas are vascular tissue-based hamartomas that are large at birth and do not require treatment unless they pose harm to the tissues of the face.

Hamartomas (a benign (noncancerous) tumor-like malformation that has limited growth and development) are not true tumors because they do not spread to other areas, and some of them, like hemangiomas (a congenital, benign tumor of endothelial cells) that appear as colored marks on the skin at birth, may go away over time.

Hamartoma comprises of haphazardly arranged mature cells and tissues, mostly comprising masses of hyaline cartilage with myxoid connective tissue, adipose cells, smooth muscle cells, etc.

Hamartomas, however, are easily enucleated (a surgical procedure in which a gland or the eyeball is removed from its surrounding capsules whole, though wedge resection is also appropriate).

Hemangioma is a benign blood-filled birthmark with vascular characteristics.

Most of the time, it’s not inherited or genetic, although other family members might have had them.

The difference between Hamartoma and Hemangioma is that Hamartoma is caused by a noncancerous tumor made of an abnormal mixture of normal tissues and cells from the area in which it grows.

On the other hand, Hemangiomas are triggered by blood vessels that do not develop properly.

In addition, the GLUT-1 expression for Hamartoma is negative. While for Hemangioma, it’s positive.

Key Takeaways

  1. Hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors made up of blood vessels.
  2. Hamartomas are disorganized growths of normal tissue in the correct location.
  3. Hemangiomas can involute over time, whereas hamartomas don’t change.
Hamartoma vs Hemangioma

Hamartoma vs Hemangioma

Hamartomas can lead to organ dysfunction and require treatment, while others may not require intervention. Hemangiomas are benign tumors that occur at birth or shortly after and can vary in size, color, and shape. They are most commonly found on the skin but can also develop in internal organs.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonHamartomaHemangioma
DefinitionA Hamartomas are disorganized masses of cells composed of cells native to that site.A Hemangioma is a benign vascular tumor or common vascular birthmark derived from blood vessel cell types.
SymptomsPoor social skills, Gelastic seizures, No thirst or extreme thirst, Early menstruation in girls, Problems with concentration, memory and learning, Delays in motor development, problems with balance and coordination, Mature reproductive organs, enlargement of penis in boys Pain  Bloated stomach A red to reddish-purple, raised growth on the skin Nausea Feeling full after eating only a small amount of food (early satiety) Fullness or lack of appetite  
CausesA hamartoma is a benign, non-cancerous tumor that develops from an unusual combination of local cells and normal tissues.Blood vessels that do not form correctly cause hemangiomas. Unknown is the root cause. According to study, hemangiomas develop in children because the blood vessels do not develop properly during pregnancy.  
TherapySurgery, laser, botulinum toxinSurgery, laser, topical steroid with salicylic acid ointment    
HistopathologyEccrine sweat glands (the major sweat glands of the human body) associated with thin-walled aggregated vessels in the middle and lower dermis.Epidermis, subcutaneous tissue, and the vascular component of the dermis all exhibit hyperkeratosis (increased stratum corneum thickness), acanthosis (a skin condition that results in a dark discoloration of the body), and papillomatosis (the protrusion of dermal papillae above the surface of the skin).    

What is a Hamartoma?

It is made up of developed tissues and cells that are haphazardly arranged, with the majority being hyaline cartilage masses with myxoid connective tissue, adipose cells, smooth muscle cells, and clefts coated with respiratory epithelium.

In addition, Wedge resection, which involves performing surgery to remove a triangle-shaped slice of tissue, is also appropriate for treating hamartomas.

Enucleation is the surgical removal of a gland or the eyeball from its surrounding capsule.

During dermoscopy, the presence of hamartoma creates a schizoid pattern or a popcorn pattern.

The GLUT-1 expression is negative

hamartoma

What is a Hemangioma?

A benign blood-filled birthmark is known as a hemangioma. It Is derived from blood vessel cells.

Hemangiomas are not fully understood to have a specific cause. The majority of the time, hemangiomas are not inherited or genetic, however they can run in families.

It is brought on by blood vessels that do not form correctly, and there is no explanation for the cause.

According to a study, hemangiomas develop in children because the blood vessels do not develop properly during pregnancy.

The GLUT-1 expression is positive.

During dermoscopy, the presence of hemangioma creates a Bluish-white hue (hyperkeratosis), reddish-blue or bluish lacunae on the skin.

Main Differences Between Hamartoma and Hemangioma

  1. Hamartomas are cellular masses made up of local cell types that are disordered. Hemangioma, on the other hand, is a type of blood vessel cell-derived vascular tumor that is benign.
  2. Hamartoma is linked to eccrine sweat glands, which comprise most of the human body’s sweat glands, and thin-walled aggregated veins in the middle and lower dermis. While papillomatosis is the projection of dermal papillae above the skin’s surface, hyperkeratosis and acanthosis are skin conditions that affect the stratum corneum, the dermis’ vascular component, and subcutaneous tissue, respectively.
  3. A hamartoma is a benign, non-cancerous tumor that develops from an unusual combination of local cells and normal tissues. Hemangiomas, however, are brought on by improperly developing blood vessels.
  4. Surgery, laser, and botulinum toxin are what are used as a therapy against hamartoma. Likewise, for hemangioma, Surgery, laser and topical steroid with salicylic acid ointment are used.
  5. It is made up of adult tissues and cells that are haphazardly arranged, with the majority being hyaline cartilage masses with myxoid connective tissue, adipose cells, smooth muscle cells, and clefts coated with respiratory epithelium. In contrast, A hemangioma is a benign blood-filled birthmark with vascular characteristics. Hemangioma’s precise cause is largely unknown. Hemangiomas are not inherited or genetic but can run in families.
References
  1. https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/html/10.1055/s-0031-1282034
  2. https://www.spandidos-publications.com/ol/16/1/660
  3. https://www.nature.com/articles/modpathol2010168

Last Updated : 29 July, 2023

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