What is a cherry angioma?

Cherry-shaped hemangioma, commonly known as vermilion nevus, also known as senile hemangioma or Campbell De Morgan’s spot, is a very common benign acquired hemangioma. It was first described and named by CampbellDe Morgan, an English surgeon in the 19th century. Cherry-shaped hemangioma is composed of clusters of microvessels on the surface of the skin that superficially resemble a dome or a slightly flattened dome. It can appear bright red to purple in color. Initially, when a cherry angioma appears, it usually presents as a flat, 1 mm-sized lesion that resembles a red dot; subsequently, the lesion gradually increases in size and can grow to several millimeters or even a centimeter in size. As the lesion increases in diameter, it also increases in thickness and can have a dome-like appearance. The surface of cherry angioma is smooth and soft, and it can be discolored when pressed. When multiple cherry hemangiomas accumulate and grow, they may fuse to form a polypoid hemangioma. The cause of cherry hemangioma is inconclusive, but some chemicals have been documented to trigger the formation of cherry hemangioma. Cherry hemangioma is found in different ethnic groups, populations and genders, mostly in middle-aged and elderly people, but also in adolescents. It may increase in number or size with age. Cherry angiomas are not inherently cancerous. Clinically, cherry hemangioma can be treated because of its superficial location and susceptibility to bleeding due to trauma, or because of the psychological stress caused by the aesthetic impact of cherry hemangioma. We currently use IPL, laser or injection to remove the lesion.