cavernous hemangioma [L, caverna, hollow place; Gk, haima, blood, oma, tumor] , a benign, congenital red or purple tumor consisting of enlarged blood vessels. The scalp, face, and neck are the most common sites, but these tumors have been found in the liver and other organs. Superficial cavernous hemangiomas are friable and easily infected if the skin is broken. Treatment includes observation, irradiation, sclerosing solutions, and laser surgery and excisional surgery. Also called angioma cavernosum, cavernoma. Compare capillary hemangioma, nevus flammeus.
