Venous Lake

Key Points
Condition results in an angioma (a non-cancerous overgrowth of blood vessels) on the lip that may be bluish, red or purple.
Typically affect men over the age of 50.

Venous lakes are a type of angioma or haemangioma which is a benign (non-cancerous) overgrowth of blood vessels in the skin. Venous lakes are the term for angiomas appearing on the lip. They are usually bluish in color, but may also be red or purple. They typically affect people over the age of 50, and tests have shown them to be more prevalent in men.

Differential Diagnosis (Other conditions with similar appearance)Angiokeratoma Circumscriptum
Basal cell carcinoma
Blue Nevi
Cherry Hemangioma
Kaposi sarcoma
Lentigo
Malignant Melanoma
Nevi, melanocytic
Pyogenic granuloma (Lobular Capillary Hemangioma)

Diagnosis
Key Points
Angiomas are usually diagnosed clinically with no further testing.
In advanced cases, ultrasounds, MRIs, or angiographies may be performed.

Angiomas are usually diagnosed clinically and further investigation is typically unnecessary in a majority of cases. In the case of uncertainty, ultrasounds can be performed or in more complicated cases MRIs or angiography.

Treatment
Angiomas are harmless and do not have to be treated.
For cosmetic reasons, they can be removed.

Angiomas are harmless, so do not have to be treated. If so desired for cosmetic reasons, they can simply be removed using cryotherapy, electrosurgery, or a vascular laser.