Cherry Angiomas: Prognosis, Symptoms, and Treatment

Cherry angiomas (senile angiomas, Campbell de Morgan spots) are common benign vascular proliferations. They appear as small, bright red to purple dome-shaped papules, usually on the trunk.

Prognosis

Prognosis is excellent. Cherry angiomas are harmless and cause no health problems. They do not become cancerous.

Symptoms

• Usually asymptomatic.
• Rarely, they may itch, bleed if traumatized, or become irritated.

Treatment

No treatment needed unless for cosmetic reasons or if bleeding/irritated. Options:

• Electrocautery, laser (pulsed dye, Nd:YAG), shave excision.
• Cryotherapy (less common due to hypopigmentation risk).

Any rapidly changing, bleeding, or atypical lesion should be evaluated by a dermatologist to rule out malignancy.