Q: My 46 years old relative has gutka/pan masala chewing habit for the last 25 years. For the past four months, he has developed swelling in his left cheek and acute pain. The doctors advised anti bacterial drugs. A week back, a tumour/tiny tissue of size 0.80 x 0.50 x 0.3 cm suddenly fell out of his mouth which was sent for biopsy. The biopsy report has suggested an infected hemangioma, indicated no evidence of malignant pathology in sections and also wide areas of necrosis with proliferation of blood vessels of different sizes. Is he suffering from cancer? What is Hemangioma and how can it be treated?

A:A hemangioma is a growth of the cells lining a blood vessel or abnormal collection of blood vessels in any part of the body. It is usually a benign (non-cancerous) tumor as the histopathology report says. Most of these are present from birth. No treatment is usually required as they tend to disappear with age. Therapy is indicated in case of complications or their occurrence at a site which impairs vital function. The patient should immediately stop the use of ‘gutka/masala’ as they lead to cancers of the mouth. He should consult an oral surgeon who can examine him and then advise appropriately.