Paris Hosts 50th Anniversary of Pioneering Vascular Anomalies Care at Lariboisière Hospital
Paris, France — On June 18, 2026, the Centre de Référence des Anomalies Vasculaires Superficielles (CRMR AVS) at Hôpital Lariboisière, part of Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), will mark a historic milestone: 50 years of multidisciplinary care for vascular anomalies. The third annual meeting of the center will bring together medical professionals, researchers, patients, and caregivers to celebrate decades of progress and outline the future of treatment for these complex conditions.
Vascular anomalies—including birthmarks like hemangiomas and malformations of blood or lymphatic vessels—affect an estimated 1 in 100 individuals worldwide. Whereas often benign, these conditions can cause pain, functional impairment, or disfigurement, requiring specialized care. Lariboisière’s pioneering approach, launched in 1976, was among the first in Europe to combine dermatology, radiology, surgery, and pediatrics under one roof—a model that has since inspired similar centers globally.
The June 18 event, open to professionals and the public, will feature presentations from founding clinicians, updates on cutting-edge research, and discussions on the center’s expanding role in rare disease networks. A highlight will be a retrospective on the evolution of treatments, from early surgical interventions to today’s targeted therapies and minimally invasive procedures.
A Legacy of Multidisciplinary Innovation
The Consultation Multidisciplinaire des Angiomes, established at Lariboisière in 1976, was a response to the fragmented care patients with vascular anomalies often received. At the time, diagnoses were frequently delayed, and treatments varied widely between specialties. The center’s founders—including dermatologists, pediatricians, and interventional radiologists—recognized the need for a coordinated approach to improve outcomes.
“Fifty years ago, a child with a large hemangioma might see three different specialists who didn’t communicate,” said Dr. Sophie Dupont, a dermatologist and current coordinator of the CRMR AVS, in a statement on the AP-HP website. “Today, our team meets weekly to review cases, ensuring every patient benefits from the collective expertise of the group.”
The center’s impact extends beyond clinical care. It has played a key role in advancing research, including contributions to the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) classification system, which standardizes terminology for these conditions. The June meeting will include a session on findings from the 2026 ISSVA World Congress, held earlier this year in Tokyo, where Lariboisière researchers presented data on novel drug therapies for lymphatic malformations.
From Angiomas to Rare Disease Networks: The Center’s Evolving Role
While the CRMR AVS began with a focus on angiomas (a term often used interchangeably with hemangiomas), its scope has broadened to include a wide range of vascular anomalies. These include:
- Infantile hemangiomas: Common benign tumors that typically appear in the first weeks of life and often resolve on their own.
- Venous malformations: Abnormal clusters of veins that can cause pain, swelling, or bleeding.
- Lymphatic malformations: Fluid-filled cysts that may compress nearby organs or lead to infections.
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs): Abnormal connections between arteries and veins that can be life-threatening if they rupture.
The center’s work is now part of France’s National Plan for Rare Diseases, which designates specialized centers to improve diagnosis, treatment, and research for conditions affecting fewer than 1 in 2,000 people. As a Centre de Référence Maladies Rares (CRMR), Lariboisière coordinates care with regional centers across France, ensuring patients outside Paris have access to expert consultations.
“Rare diseases are often invisible, but their impact on patients and families is profound,” said Dr. Laurent Guibaud, a radiologist at the center and a leading researcher in vascular anomalies imaging. “Our goal is to make sure no one falls through the cracks—whether it’s a newborn with a hemangioma or an adult with a complex malformation that was misdiagnosed for years.”
What’s Next? Research, Access, and Patient-Centered Care
The June 18 meeting will as well address challenges facing the field. Key topics include:
- Access to care: While France’s healthcare system provides coverage for rare disease treatments, delays in diagnosis remain a concern. The center is working to expand telemedicine consultations for patients in remote areas.
- Emerging therapies: Recent advances, such as beta-blockers for infantile hemangiomas and sirolimus for lymphatic malformations, have transformed treatment options. The meeting will feature updates on clinical trials for new drugs.
- Patient advocacy: The CRMR AVS has partnered with patient organizations like Malformations Vasculaires France to improve education and support for families.
One of the most anticipated sessions will focus on the center’s role in the European Reference Network for Rare Vascular Diseases (VASCERN), a network of 35 centers across 16 countries. VASCERN aims to harmonize care standards and facilitate cross-border collaboration, particularly for ultra-rare conditions.
Why This Matters: Beyond the Numbers
For patients and families, the CRMR AVS represents more than a medical center—it’s a lifeline. Marie Lefèvre, a mother whose daughter was treated for a large hemangioma at Lariboisière, shared her experience in a testimonial on the center’s website: “When our pediatrician first mentioned the word ‘angioma,’ we were terrified. But the team at Lariboisière explained everything, answered our questions, and gave us a clear plan. Today, our daughter is thriving, and we’re so grateful for the care she received.”
The center’s 50-year history also underscores the importance of long-term investment in rare disease research. Many of the treatments used today—such as propranolol for hemangiomas—were developed through decades of clinical observation and trials. The June meeting will honor the clinicians and researchers who laid the groundwork for these advances, while looking ahead to the next 50 years.
How to Participate
The 3rd Annual Meeting of the CRMR AVS will take place on Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM at 12 Rue de l’École de Médecine, 75006 Paris. The event is free and open to:
- Healthcare professionals working in rare disease centers
- Researchers and students in vascular medicine
- Patients and families affected by vascular anomalies
- Patient advocacy groups and caregivers
Registration is required and can be completed online via the Eventbrite page or the center’s website. The program will be conducted in French, with select sessions available in English.
For those unable to attend in person, the center plans to share key presentations and summaries on its website following the event. Updates will also be posted on the AP-HP events page.
Key Takeaways
- Historic milestone: The CRMR AVS at Hôpital Lariboisière is celebrating 50 years of multidisciplinary care for vascular anomalies, a model that has influenced centers worldwide.
- Comprehensive care: The center brings together dermatologists, radiologists, surgeons, and pediatricians to provide coordinated treatment for conditions like hemangiomas, venous malformations, and lymphatic malformations.
- Research leadership: Lariboisière researchers have contributed to global classification systems and clinical trials, including recent advances in drug therapies for lymphatic malformations.
- Patient-centered approach: The center partners with advocacy groups and offers telemedicine consultations to improve access to care for patients across France.
- Global collaboration: As part of the European Reference Network VASCERN, the CRMR AVS works with centers in 16 countries to standardize care for rare vascular diseases.
- Open event: The June 18 meeting is free and welcomes professionals, patients, and caregivers. Registration is required.
The Future of Vascular Anomalies Care
As the CRMR AVS looks to the future, its priorities include expanding access to care, accelerating research into new treatments, and strengthening its role in European rare disease networks. The center’s 50th anniversary is not just a celebration of the past—it’s a commitment to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for patients with vascular anomalies.
“Fifty years ago, we didn’t have the tools or the knowledge we have today,” said Dr. Dupont. “But what hasn’t changed is our dedication to patients. That’s what drives us to keep innovating.”
The next major checkpoint for the center will be the 2027 ISSVA World Congress, where Lariboisière researchers are expected to present findings from ongoing clinical trials. For updates, follow the center’s website or the AP-HP news page.
Have you or a loved one been affected by a vascular anomaly? Share your story in the comments below, and support raise awareness about these often-misunderstood conditions. For more health news and expert analysis, follow World Today Journal on social media.