Vascular tumours and anomalies, The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Contact
Clinical Nurse Consultant: For non-urgent clinical questions and advice, call or text 0450 259 124 (Monday, Tuesday, and alternate Wednesdays 8am–4pm)
Email: SCHN-CHW-VascularAnomalies@health.nsw.gov.au Questions/requests will be forwarded to the appropriate team member. We aim to respond within 1 week.
Clinicians: For assistance out of hours, please contact our team via the Children’s Hospital at Westmead on (02) 78250000 and ask for the on-call doctor for oncology.
Location: The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Cnr Hawkesbury and Hainsworth. Westmead, NSW, 2145.
About our service
The Vascular Anomalies (VA) team at CHW provides a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing, treating, and supporting children with vascular tumours and malformations. These conditions involve abnormalities of veins, arteries, lymphatics, capillaries, or a combination of these.
Our team include specialists from a range of disciplines to ensure your child receives the most appropriate, tailored care.
We will discuss recommended treatments, possible outcomes, and any potential risks with you. Please feel free to ask any questions during your clinic appointment.
Types of vascular anomalies we diagnose, treat and manage
Vascular anomalies can range from simple to severe. While some cause no problems, others may be life threatening.
They can affect the skin, muscle, bone, and – less commonly - internal organs. Because of this wide variation, treatment can be complex and may involve several different specialists.
Our vascular anomalies team will tailor a treatment plan specific to your child’s condition.
Our team manages the following conditions:
- Lymphatic malformations (LM)
- Venous malformations (VM)
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVM)
- Kaposiform haemangioendothelioma (KHE)
- Vascular anomaly syndromes
- Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome
Treatment options
Unfortunately, there is no curative treatment for vascular malformations. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications. Your child may receive one or a combination of the following treatments depending on their condition.
Treatment options may include:
- Conservative management (“wait and watch”) - If the vascular anomaly is stable and does not cause any problems, it may be appropriate to monitor it with regular clinic appointments.
- Compression garments and physiotherapy - Specially made, tight fitting garments are used to reduce swelling and pain. If recommended, a physiotherapist will measure and fit your child for the garment.
- Sclerotherapy - A sclerosant medication is injected into abnormal vessels to shrink them. A general anaesthetic is required if sclerotherapy is recommended.
- Biopsy
- Targeted medical therapy - Medication that your child will need to take daily
- Surgery – in some instances, surgery may be recommended.
Referral process for clinicians
Our department is using Consultmed to manage referrals. The Consultmed platform allows health professionals to send e-referrals to us securely.
We accept referrals from general practitioners and specialists.
Please note following exclusion criteria:
- Simple infantile haemangiomas or isolated capillary malformations, and port wine stains are managed directly by the Dermatology team. Please refer to them directly to the Dermatology Service.
Consultmed questions and technical support: helpdesk@consultmed.co
Referral and appointment process for parents and carers
Request a referral
To see a vascular anomalies specialist, you’ll need a referral from your GP, paediatrician, or specialist.
Steps:
- Visit your local GP to discuss concerns.
- Your GP will refer you to the appropriate specialist
- Your GP or specialist may organize an ultrasound or MRI.
Track your referral
Our department uses Consultmed to manage referrals. Your referring clinician sends the e-referral to us using the secure Consultmed platform.
Once we receive the referral, we will send you an email with your tracking information. We will update you as we process the referral and book your appointment.
To receive these updates, please ask your referring clinician to include your email on the referral.
If your clinician has questions about Consultmed or require technical support, they can contact helpdesk@consultmed.co.
Need support?
If you need help or have questions about the referral and appointment process, please contact us on:
- Mobile: 0455 259 124 (Monday, Tuesday and alternate Wednesdays)
- Email: SCHN-CHW-VascularAnomalies@health.nsw.gov.au
Clinic information
Clinic appointments
Once your referral has been accepted, you will be contacted with a clinic appointment. Wait times vary depending on the specialist you will need to see.
Clinics run weekly across oncology, interventional radiology, and dermatology.
- You may see one or multiple teams during your child’s care.
- A fortnightly multidisciplinary meeting is held to review complex cases and imaging.
Vascular anomalies team
Our team includes:
- Oncologists
- Interventional Radiologists
- Geneticists
- Dermatologists
- Surgeons
- Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC)
- Physiotherapists
- Allied Health professionals
Oncology vascular anomalies
This service provides medical management for complex vascular tumours and malformations. While not cancerous, these conditions are managed by oncology specialists due to their expertise in relevant medications.
If medicine is recommended for your child, you’ll have an appointment at the Oncology Treatment Centre (OTC) to discuss options.
Planning your visit
For helpful information to assist you in planning your visit see Coming to The Children's Hospital at Westmead.
