Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
A hemangioblastoma is a slow-growing, noncancerous tumor that occurs in the brain, spinal cord, or occasionally the retina. Although hemangioblastomas are benign and grow gradually, they can become symptomatic and cause health issues over time.Hemangioblastomas are relatively uncommon, accounting for 2% of all brain tumors and 2% to 10% of spinal cord tumors.Recurrent hemangioblastomas may signal that a patient hasvon Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). VHL is a hereditary gene mutation that causes hemangioblastomas, cysts, and other tumors to grow.This article will discuss the types, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of hemangioblastomas.alex-mit / Getty ImagesTypes of HemangioblastomasHemangioblastomas are classified based on the type of fluid they contain and the size of the vascular channels inside the tumor. They are typically defined as cystic or solid, and are further broken down into four types:Type 1: A simple cyst without a nodule (the rarest, at 5% of tumors)Type 2: A cyst with a mural nodule (60% of tumors)Type 3: A solid tumor (26% of tumors)Type 4: A solid tumor containing small internal cysts (9% of tumors)Hemangioblastoma SymptomsAs a hemangioblastoma grows, it puts pressure on the underlying structures within the brain and spinal cord, so symptoms may depend on the location of the tumor.Common symptoms include:NauseaVomitingLoss of balanceHeadacheDizziness or vertigoLoss of coordinationIf a hemangioblastoma affects the retina, loss of vision is also a common symptom.CausesMost hemangioblastomas have no known cause. However, once surgically or radiologically removed, they generally do not reoccur.However, in 25% of cases, an inherited disorder calledvon Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL)causes the growth of hemangioblastomas and other types of tumors and cysts in the body.VHL disease is hereditary and occurs in 1 out of 36,000 people.DiagnosisTo diagnose hemangioblastomas, physicians will perform a diagnostic workup that will likely include a medical history, physical exam, blood tests, and a neurological examination.MRI scans, CT scans, and spinal angiography are tests used to diagnose a hemangioblastoma and other tumors in the body.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A diagnostic tool that utilizes magnets and radio waves to take pictures of anatomy and physiology in the body. MRIs of the brain and spinal cord can help locate tumors and surrounding structural damage that a hemangioblastoma may cause.Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan is a type of diagnostic test that uses a series of X-rays from multiple body angles to create cross-sectional images (slices).Spinal angiogram:Spinal angiography is a diagnostic imaging technique that helps visualize the inside of the blood vessels that may be serving the tumor.TreatmentMany patients undergo surgery to remove hemangioblastomas that become problematic. However, in some cases, they may be located in inoperable areas. Fortunately, there are newer technologies that make hemangioblastoma surgery safer and more effective.The two main ways to treat a hemangioblastoma include:Surgery:Since hemangioblastomas are benign and slow-growing, surgical excision is usually the most common option. If surgery is too risky because the tumor is in an inoperable area, or there is a risk of compressing healthy tissue during excision, then an alternative option like radiation therapy may need to be considered.Radiosurgery or radiation therapy: If it is too risky to perform surgery, radiosurgery (a form of radiation therapy) is another option for hemangioblastoma treatment. The most common type of radiosurgery for hemangioblastomas is stereotactic radiosurgery.Stereotactic radiosurgery involves targeted, large-dose radiation directed at a tumor. It is a viable and noninvasive alternative for patients unable to have a hemangioblastoma removed surgically.Hemangioblastoma Treatment for VHL PatientsFor patients withVHL, treatment will also include monitoring disease progress and continual discussion abouttreatment optionsas hemangioblastomas occur or reoccur.PrognosisRemoved hemangioblastomas in patients withoutVHLusually have an excellent long-term prognosis without recurrence.However, if a hemangioblastoma has damaged structures or nerves in the spinal cord, brain, or retina, those may not resolve.With technological advances in surgery and treatment options for patients with VHL, the median life expectancy is about 66 years.However, continued disease progression of new hemangioblastomas and other tumors in the body may lead to a lowered life expectancy.Talk to Your PhysicianTalk to your physician about the details surrounding your diagnosis so you have a better understanding of the prognosis and the long-term complications your tumor may cause.A Word From VerywellGetting a diagnosis of hemangioblastoma can be frightening. However, there are effective treatments and medical professionals who can help. It is essential to understand your diagnosis and review treatment options with your physician.
A hemangioblastoma is a slow-growing, noncancerous tumor that occurs in the brain, spinal cord, or occasionally the retina. Although hemangioblastomas are benign and grow gradually, they can become symptomatic and cause health issues over time.
Hemangioblastomas are relatively uncommon, accounting for 2% of all brain tumors and 2% to 10% of spinal cord tumors.Recurrent hemangioblastomas may signal that a patient hasvon Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). VHL is a hereditary gene mutation that causes hemangioblastomas, cysts, and other tumors to grow.
This article will discuss the types, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of hemangioblastomas.
alex-mit / Getty Images
Types of Hemangioblastomas
Hemangioblastomas are classified based on the type of fluid they contain and the size of the vascular channels inside the tumor. They are typically defined as cystic or solid, and are further broken down into four types:
Hemangioblastoma Symptoms
As a hemangioblastoma grows, it puts pressure on the underlying structures within the brain and spinal cord, so symptoms may depend on the location of the tumor.
Common symptoms include:
If a hemangioblastoma affects the retina, loss of vision is also a common symptom.
Most hemangioblastomas have no known cause. However, once surgically or radiologically removed, they generally do not reoccur.
However, in 25% of cases, an inherited disorder calledvon Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL)causes the growth of hemangioblastomas and other types of tumors and cysts in the body.VHL disease is hereditary and occurs in 1 out of 36,000 people.
To diagnose hemangioblastomas, physicians will perform a diagnostic workup that will likely include a medical history, physical exam, blood tests, and a neurological examination.
MRI scans, CT scans, and spinal angiography are tests used to diagnose a hemangioblastoma and other tumors in the body.
Many patients undergo surgery to remove hemangioblastomas that become problematic. However, in some cases, they may be located in inoperable areas. Fortunately, there are newer technologies that make hemangioblastoma surgery safer and more effective.
The two main ways to treat a hemangioblastoma include:
Hemangioblastoma Treatment for VHL PatientsFor patients withVHL, treatment will also include monitoring disease progress and continual discussion abouttreatment optionsas hemangioblastomas occur or reoccur.
Hemangioblastoma Treatment for VHL Patients
For patients withVHL, treatment will also include monitoring disease progress and continual discussion abouttreatment optionsas hemangioblastomas occur or reoccur.
Removed hemangioblastomas in patients withoutVHLusually have an excellent long-term prognosis without recurrence.However, if a hemangioblastoma has damaged structures or nerves in the spinal cord, brain, or retina, those may not resolve.
With technological advances in surgery and treatment options for patients with VHL, the median life expectancy is about 66 years.However, continued disease progression of new hemangioblastomas and other tumors in the body may lead to a lowered life expectancy.
Talk to Your PhysicianTalk to your physician about the details surrounding your diagnosis so you have a better understanding of the prognosis and the long-term complications your tumor may cause.
Talk to Your Physician
Talk to your physician about the details surrounding your diagnosis so you have a better understanding of the prognosis and the long-term complications your tumor may cause.
A Word From Verywell
Getting a diagnosis of hemangioblastoma can be frightening. However, there are effective treatments and medical professionals who can help. It is essential to understand your diagnosis and review treatment options with your physician.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yin X, Duan H, Yi Z, Li C, Lu R, Li L.Incidence, prognostic factors and survival for hemangioblastoma of the central nervous system: analysis based on the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database.Front Oncol. 2020;10:570103. doi:10.3389/fonc.2020.570103Slater A, Moore NR, Huson SM.The natural history of cerebellar hemangioblastomas in von hippel-lindau disease.American Journal of Neuroradiology. 2003;24(8):1570-1574.UCLA Health.Hemangioblastomas.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Hemangioblastoma.Goyal N, Agrawal D, Singla R, Kale SS, Singh M, Sharma BS.Stereotactic radiosurgery in hemangioblastoma: Experience over 14 years.J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2016;7(1):23-27. doi:10.4103/0976-3147.172165Miyagami M, Katayama Y.Long-term prognosis of hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system: clinical and immunohistochemical study in relation to recurrence.Brain Tumor Pathol. 2004;21(2):75-82. doi:10.1007/BF02484514Zhou B, Wang J, Liu S, et al.Hemangioblastoma instead of renal cell carcinoma plays a major role in the unfavorable overall survival of von Hippel-Lindau disease patients.Front Oncol. 2019;9:1037. doi:10.3389/fonc.2019.01037
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yin X, Duan H, Yi Z, Li C, Lu R, Li L.Incidence, prognostic factors and survival for hemangioblastoma of the central nervous system: analysis based on the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database.Front Oncol. 2020;10:570103. doi:10.3389/fonc.2020.570103Slater A, Moore NR, Huson SM.The natural history of cerebellar hemangioblastomas in von hippel-lindau disease.American Journal of Neuroradiology. 2003;24(8):1570-1574.UCLA Health.Hemangioblastomas.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Hemangioblastoma.Goyal N, Agrawal D, Singla R, Kale SS, Singh M, Sharma BS.Stereotactic radiosurgery in hemangioblastoma: Experience over 14 years.J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2016;7(1):23-27. doi:10.4103/0976-3147.172165Miyagami M, Katayama Y.Long-term prognosis of hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system: clinical and immunohistochemical study in relation to recurrence.Brain Tumor Pathol. 2004;21(2):75-82. doi:10.1007/BF02484514Zhou B, Wang J, Liu S, et al.Hemangioblastoma instead of renal cell carcinoma plays a major role in the unfavorable overall survival of von Hippel-Lindau disease patients.Front Oncol. 2019;9:1037. doi:10.3389/fonc.2019.01037
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yin X, Duan H, Yi Z, Li C, Lu R, Li L.Incidence, prognostic factors and survival for hemangioblastoma of the central nervous system: analysis based on the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database.Front Oncol. 2020;10:570103. doi:10.3389/fonc.2020.570103Slater A, Moore NR, Huson SM.The natural history of cerebellar hemangioblastomas in von hippel-lindau disease.American Journal of Neuroradiology. 2003;24(8):1570-1574.UCLA Health.Hemangioblastomas.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Hemangioblastoma.Goyal N, Agrawal D, Singla R, Kale SS, Singh M, Sharma BS.Stereotactic radiosurgery in hemangioblastoma: Experience over 14 years.J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2016;7(1):23-27. doi:10.4103/0976-3147.172165Miyagami M, Katayama Y.Long-term prognosis of hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system: clinical and immunohistochemical study in relation to recurrence.Brain Tumor Pathol. 2004;21(2):75-82. doi:10.1007/BF02484514Zhou B, Wang J, Liu S, et al.Hemangioblastoma instead of renal cell carcinoma plays a major role in the unfavorable overall survival of von Hippel-Lindau disease patients.Front Oncol. 2019;9:1037. doi:10.3389/fonc.2019.01037
Yin X, Duan H, Yi Z, Li C, Lu R, Li L.Incidence, prognostic factors and survival for hemangioblastoma of the central nervous system: analysis based on the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database.Front Oncol. 2020;10:570103. doi:10.3389/fonc.2020.570103
Slater A, Moore NR, Huson SM.The natural history of cerebellar hemangioblastomas in von hippel-lindau disease.American Journal of Neuroradiology. 2003;24(8):1570-1574.
UCLA Health.Hemangioblastomas.
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Hemangioblastoma.
Goyal N, Agrawal D, Singla R, Kale SS, Singh M, Sharma BS.Stereotactic radiosurgery in hemangioblastoma: Experience over 14 years.J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2016;7(1):23-27. doi:10.4103/0976-3147.172165
Miyagami M, Katayama Y.Long-term prognosis of hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system: clinical and immunohistochemical study in relation to recurrence.Brain Tumor Pathol. 2004;21(2):75-82. doi:10.1007/BF02484514
Zhou B, Wang J, Liu S, et al.Hemangioblastoma instead of renal cell carcinoma plays a major role in the unfavorable overall survival of von Hippel-Lindau disease patients.Front Oncol. 2019;9:1037. doi:10.3389/fonc.2019.01037
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