Haemangioblastoma
Haemangioblastoma: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Outlook.: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Outlook.
Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.
What is Haemangioblastoma?
Haemangioblastoma is a rare, benign (grade I) vascular tumor of the CNS, often in cerebellum (80%), spine, or brainstem, comprising 2% of brain tumors. It’s highly vascular, cystic with mural nodule. Associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) in 20-30%. In 2025, ~200-300 US cases, median age 30-40 for VHL-associated, 50 for sporadic.
Symptoms
Symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, ataxia (balance loss), dizziness from cerebellar location; spinal cause pain, numbness, weakness. VHL may have retinal tumors, pheochromocytoma. In 2025, symptoms lead to MRI.
Causes
Causes include VHL gene mutations (tumor suppressor inactivation). Sporadic from somatic mutations. No environmental links. In 2025, angiogenesis (VEGF overexpression) is key.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis uses MRI showing cystic mass with enhancing nodule, angiography for vascularity, and biopsy post-surgery. Genetic testing for VHL. In 2025, AI aids imaging.
Treatment
Surgery is curative for sporadic (microsurgical resection), with embolisation for vascular tumors. Radiation (stereotactic) for unresectable. VHL requires surveillance. In 2025, anti-VEGF therapies reduce size.
Future Outlook
In 2025, 10-year survival is 70-95%, better for complete resection. Recurrence 20% in VHL. By 2030, targeted VHL therapies could prevent multiplicity.
Sources
The information for haemangioblastoma is sourced from WebMD’s “Hemangioblastoma: Symptoms, Treatment, and More” for treatment; NCBI’s “Hemangioblastoma – StatPearls” for prognosis; Aaron Cohen-Gadol’s “Hemangioblastoma Symptoms | Expert Surgeon” for symptoms; Verywell Health’s “Hemangioblastoma: Survival, Symptoms, Causes, and More” for causes; Cleveland Clinic’s “Hemangioblastoma: Types, Radiology & Pathology” for types; Pacific Neuroscience Institute’s “Hemangioblastoma Treatment | Pacific Brain Tumor Center” for treatment; Columbia Neurosurgery’s “Hemangioblastoma Diagnosis & Treatment” for diagnosis; Aaron Cohen-Gadol’s “Hemangioblastoma Survival | Expert Surgeon” for survival; GARD’s “Hemangioblastoma | About the Disease” for disease; Medscape’s “Hemangioblastoma Treatment & Management” for management.