Telangiectasia (Spider Veins)

What is it?

Telangiectasia is reddish-purple veins (also called spider veins) on the top of the skin. This can be a late effect of radiation therapy. Telangiectasia may happen months to years after radiation therapy treatment and only happens to the skin where you had treatment. These “spider veins” can have a negative impact on a patient's quality of life if they are in an obvious area and the patient is worried about how they look.

Telangiectasia can be caused by harm to the capillary (smallest type of blood vessel) bed from radiation.

How is it managed?

Telangiectasia is a change in the appearance of blood vessels that won’t go away, but may fade over time. There are therapies that may reduce the appearance of telangiectasia like laser treatment and injections.

When should I contact my care team?

Telangiectasia is not a medical emergency, but the way they look may be upsetting. If you find that telangiectasia is negatively impacting your daily life, contact your care provider.