What is Benign Florid Vascular Proliferation Mimicking Vascular Neoplasm?
Vascular lesions or tumors are quite rare in the digestive system. One such condition, florid vascular proliferation (FVP), is actually a harmless, reactive process that could easily be mistaken for other harmless or harmful vascular tumors in the digestive system. The term was first introduced in 1993, when Ramsden and his team of researchers discovered it in a patient who had recurrent stomach pain and a specific condition called ‘intussusception’. They noted that the FVP looked very similar to a primary angiomatous lesion, which is a type of vascular tumor.
On closer examination, most FVPs appear as an outward-growing, non-invasive, or polyp-like mass. They may also have a gathered knotty appearance with a thicker lining and spots of bleeding. Clear identification of FVP often requires a tissue biopsy or complete removal of the affected area and a microscopic examination. In fact, completely removing the lesion through surgery is the preferred treatment method.
What Causes Benign Florid Vascular Proliferation Mimicking Vascular Neoplasm?
A condition called colonic florid vascular proliferation is often linked to problems such as intussusception, a situation where part of the intestine slides into another part, and colonic obstruction, a blockage in the colon. Studies have also shown that it can be linked to other conditions such as mucosal prolapse, when the internal lining of the colon bulges out, lipomas, which are harmless lumps of fat, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a specific kind of virus called cytomegalovirus, and a condition called Meckel’s diverticulum, a small pouch in the digestive tract that is present from birth.
Risk Factors and Frequency for Benign Florid Vascular Proliferation Mimicking Vascular Neoplasm
Florid vascular proliferation, which is an increase in blood vessels, typically affects those in their middle-ages and the elderly. However, there have been instances where infants with a cytomegalovirus infection have been affected.
- The most frequent location where it occurs is the colon.
- The small intestine is the next most common site.
- It can also occur in the appendix and Meckel diverticulum, which is a pocket in the digestive tract.
Signs and Symptoms of Benign Florid Vascular Proliferation Mimicking Vascular Neoplasm
Florid vascular proliferation commonly occurs in the colon and is associated with various symptoms. Generally, patients experience:
- Abdominal pain
- Melena (dark, tarry stools)
- Diarrhea
- Bleeding
In cases where the lesion is particularly large, it can cause a “mass” effect. This can result in symptoms of bowel obstruction or intussusception, which is when one part of the intestine slides into another.
Testing for Benign Florid Vascular Proliferation Mimicking Vascular Neoplasm
There are several methods, such as a barium enema, a CT scan, an MRI, and a colonoscopy, that can be used to detect a potential “mass” in the digestive system. However, these tests are not specific, meaning they don’t confirm a diagnosis for certain conditions like Fibrovascular Polyps (FVP).
The only way to definitively diagnose FVP is by taking a small sample of tissue (a biopsy) from the suspected area and examining it under a microscope. In most cases, the suspicious growth needs to be fully removed to accurately identify what it is.
Treatment Options for Benign Florid Vascular Proliferation Mimicking Vascular Neoplasm
In cases where symptoms are present, the best option is to completely remove the affected area through surgery. This is due to the fact that florid vascular proliferation, a type of abnormal blood vessel growth, is harmless and only a reaction to something else, not a disease in itself. According to available English medical texts, this condition doesn’t come back after surgery, so there is no need for further treatment after the operation.
What else can Benign Florid Vascular Proliferation Mimicking Vascular Neoplasm be?
When diagnosing certain unusual medical conditions, doctors need to rule out several similar diseases. One such condition is Florid Vascular Proliferation (FVP), and there are three major diseases that it’s often confused with:
- Angiosarcoma: This is a rare type of cancer that affects the blood vessels, specifically in the small intestine. This cancer is made up of abnormal cells that form in solid sheets. Fast cell division (mitosis) and cell death (necrosis) are common in this type of cancer. However, in FVP, the blood vessels usually proliferate more floridly. Changes like muscular fibroplasia (common in FVP) can help doctors differentiate between the two. For a diagnosis of angiosarcoma, FVP and other non-cancerous vascular changes need to be ruled out first.
- Kaposi Sarcoma: This is another type of cancer triggered by a virus called human herpesvirus-8 or HHV-8, and it usually affects people with weaker immune systems. The presence of different cell formations and HHV-8 can help distinguish this cancer from FVP.
- Benign vascular lesions: These are non-cancerous growths related to blood vessels. Types include hemangiolymphangiomas (small lesions), vascular malformations (cluster of abnormal blood vessels), and angiogenic polypoid proliferation (growth in the small bowel). These growth types have varying characteristics, but like FVP, are not cancerous.
Florid vascular proliferation is a benign, or noncancerous, disorder that can mimic several other diseases related to blood vessels, both benign and malignant. It’s important to correctly identify this condition since it usually doesn’t reappear after complete surgical removal.
What to expect with Benign Florid Vascular Proliferation Mimicking Vascular Neoplasm
Florid vascular proliferation, a certain type of blood vessel growth, typically has a great outlook following surgical removal. In a large study of five patients, none of them experienced a return of the condition even after following up for five years after their surgery.
Possible Complications When Diagnosed with Benign Florid Vascular Proliferation Mimicking Vascular Neoplasm
The best treatment option is to fully remove the problem area through surgery. According to literature published in English, there are no known complications related to this surgical procedure.
