Adult with large hemangioma on right middle finger

Dear Ask The Doctor: I am a 22 year old male with a relatively large (about 1.5" in diameter) hamangioma on my right hand middle finger. I have had it since birth and it has never decreased in size (as they typically do based on what I have read). I consulted a plastic surgeon and he explained to me that there was a large risk of me losing all feeling in my finger, and a small risk that I would lose the finger altogether. I was wondering what other options there are and what, if any, risks there are that go along with a hamangioma in the location it is in.

Dear Devlin: Usually, hemangiomas do not cause any symptoms and persons tend to have them removed for cosmetic reasons. A topical product called Timolol gel has been shown to have some benefit in improving the appearance of hemangiomas however research is ongoing. You may want to consider a trial of this medication since surgery seems to be too big a risk for you.