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Q:	I have a vascular hemangioma on my jaw by my chin. About three years ago a very sore growth under the skin began developing. My doctor told me it is a cyst and I shouldn't worry, but recently it has been more painful. I found an article that said hemangiomas often form tumors, which may sometimes be malignant. Is this true?
A:	A hemangioma is a collection of small blood vessels. There are several types and they are very common. Without an examination we can’t tell what type of hemangioma you have. Most hemangiomas develop in infants and eventually go away. They are usually visible on the skin. Rarely, when the hemangioma is very large or located deep in an internal organ (like the brain or liver), it may grow rapidly in the first year of life and cause serious problems. This type would need treatment. By adolescence, it would be very rare for a hemangioma to cause problems. They rarely grow or become sore at your age. We suspect your doctor was correct; the painful lump was a cyst and not related to your hemangioma. We don’t know where you got your information, but there are rare malignancies (cancers) in which blood vessels grow, called angiosarcomata. They are exceedingly rare in children and adolescents. We understand your worry and suggest you make an appointment to discuss this your doctor. Posted 9-28-01 Do you have a question? As a reminder, this information should not be relied on as medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Please read our full .