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Cystic hygroma - Treatment

Alternative Names

Lymphangioma

Treatment:

Treatment involves complete removal of the abnormal tissue whenever possible. However, cystic hygromas can often invade other neck structures, making this impossible.

Other treatments have been attempted with only limited success. These include:

Chemotherapy medications
Injection of sclerosing medications
Radiation therapy
Steroids

Expectations (prognosis):

The outlook is good if surgery can totally remove the abnormal tissue. In cases where complete removal is not possible, the cystic hygroma commonly returns.

Complications:

Complications may include:

Bleeding
Damage to structures in the neck caused by surgery
Infection
Return of the cystic hygroma

Calling your health care provider:

If you notice a lump in your neck or your child's neck, call your doctor.

Reviewed last on: 9/26/2007
Deirdre O’Reilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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