Cherry angioma
Angioma - cherry; Senile angioma; Campbell de Morgan spots; de Morgan spots
A cherry angioma is a noncancerous (benign) skin growth made up of blood vessels.
Causes
Cherry angiomas are fairly common skin growths that vary in size. They can occur almost anywhere on the body, but usually develop on the trunk.
They are most common after age 30. The cause is unknown, but they tend to be inherited (genetic).
Symptoms
A cherry angioma is:
- Bright cherry-red
- Small -- pinhead size to about one quarter inch (0.5 centimeter) in diameter
- Smooth, or can stick out from the skin
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will look at the growth on your skin to diagnose a cherry angioma. No further tests are usually necessary. Sometimes a skin biopsy is used to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Cherry angiomas usually do not need to be treated. If they affect your appearance or bleed often, they may be removed by:
- Burning (electrosurgery or cautery)
- Freezing (cryotherapy)
- Laser
- Shave excision
Outlook (Prognosis)
Cherry angiomas are noncancerous. They usually do not harm your health. Removal usually does not cause scarring.
Possible Complications
A cherry angioma may cause:
- Bleeding if it is injured
- Changes in appearance
- Emotional distress
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if:
- You have symptoms of a cherry angioma and you would like to have it removed
- The appearance of a cherry angioma (or any skin lesion) changes
References
Habif TP. Vascular tumors and malformations. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 23.
Patterson JW. Vascular tumors. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 38.
Review Date: 10/14/2018
Reviewed By: Michael Lehrer, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.