Unlike hemangiomas, many times lymphatic malformations require surgical treatment. Like port wine stains, lymphatic malformations do not grow. They tend to be quite extensive, and frequently become tangled up with muscle, skin, and even bone. Sometimes they can cause enlargement and distortion of the structures surrounding them. Because it is not always possible to remove all of the lymphatic malformation, it may recur.
Infection is the most common complication associated with lymphatic malformations.
Minor trauma or upper respiratory infections seem to be related to the development of many cases of infection. Most of these infections follow a mild course, and respond well to antibiotics, but some patients require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics. Your doctor may recommend that you keep a supply of antibiotics on hand to treat infections right away, because there is a high rate of repeated infections. There is no satisfactory non-surgical treatment for these lymphatic malformations, as they do not respond to medication such as steroids.