Papilloma is a benign tumor located on the skin, less frequently on the mucous membranes.The formation of papillomas occurs after the penetration of HPV, the human papillomavirus, into the body.But you should know that sometimes several years pass from the moment of infection to the formation of growths on the skin.
Varieties
HPV is a microorganism that has up to hundreds of seals.Depending on the type of HPV seal that affects a person, different types of papillomas form on the skin.They differ in appearance, growth rate and location on the body.
Some papillomatous growths are detected on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, in the bladder, in women in the vagina, and in men in the penile area.
It is necessary to determine the type of papillomas in order to select the most effective treatment method and evaluate the risk of this tumor degenerating into a malignant one.
Species
The human papillomavirus, after its activation in the body, causes not only changes in the skin and mucous membranes, but also a number of diseases dangerous to human health.The path that the infection will follow depends, first of all, on the type of HPV present in the body.
Papillomas are caused by several types of viruses, and in some cases, their location and external characteristics can suggest the type of HPV.
Simple
Simple papillomas have several other names: vulgar or ordinary.They appear in the body if several types of HPV develop in the body, and most often they are 26-29, 41, 63, 77.
Vulgar papillomas are the most likely formation on the skin of the benign group.The process of papilloma formation begins with a slight burning and tingling sensation in a certain area of the body, then in this place you can notice the growth of a spherical tumor.
Over time, the surface of this irregular formation becomes rough and the color changes from flesh to darker.The size of a simple papilloma starts from 1 mm and can reach a centimeter in diameter.
The most common location in adults is the fingers, the spaces between the fingers and the back of the palms.Vulgar papillomas are often found in children, and the knee area is a common place for this type of formations, which is due to the fact that a small child often crawls and becomes infected through the slightest cracks in the skin.
Common papillomas can be single or multiple.In the latter case, daughter formations grow alongside the main one, the mother.
plantar
Papillomas on the soles of the feet can appear in people infected with HPV types 1, 2 and 4. These formations can be easily confused with calluses, but there are several signs that specifically indicate a plantar papilloma, these are:
- The formation has all the distinctive external features of vulgar papilloma.
- Pain that increases when the papilloma is compressed by tight shoes.
- Lack of skin pattern.In calluses, the skin pattern is preserved and its surface is quite smooth.
Plantar papillomas can destroy themselves;This is especially common in young children.Small bubbles often form around the first lump, which over time transform into papillomas;This process is known in medicine as mosaic papillomatosis.
Floor
Flat papillomas get their name because they protrude only slightly, that is, a couple of millimeters, above the skin.Its shape is round, often elongated, oval, places of growth are the face, the area near the lips, the upper part of the chest and the external genitals.In girls and women, they are often diagnosed on the cervix.
Nearby flat papillomas can fuse together and then become very visible on the body.The color of these formations rarely differs from the rest of the skin tone or may be slightly darker.
filiform
Papillomas that grow on a thin stalk and have an elongated, elongated shape are called in medicine filamentous or skin tags.They are caused by HPV types 7 and 2. At the beginning of the growth of this formation, a small lump can be noticed on the skin, which gradually stretches and hangs.
Acrochords grow predominantly in people after 40 years of age, regardless of their sex.Most often they are found on the upper eyelids, neck, under the arms and mammary glands, in the groin area.Filiform formations are prone to injury, since the thin leg can easily get caught in clothing or careless movements.
pointed
Pointed papillomas or condylomas are papillary formations, they are located both individually and in whole groups.As these papillomas grow, they merge with each other and during this period their surface visually resembles a rooster's comb, the color of the formations varies from flesh-colored to bright pink.
Genital warts are caused only by sexually transmitted types of HPV.That is why these papillomas are found on the genitals, in the anus, in the perineum and in the groin.In men, condylomas usually affect the penis or grow inside the urethra.In women, papillary formations affect the vagina and cervix.
Condylomata acuminata grow very rapidly, fusing, and extensive invasion of healthy tissue is sometimes seen within a few days.This type of skin formation is prone to relapse after treatment.Often, tests can reveal concomitant infections: mycoplasmosis, chlamydia.
Guys
HPV types are usually divided according to the risk of possible oncogenic lesions of the skin and internal organs.Highlight:
- HPVs with a high risk of cancer are types 16, 18, 45, 36.
- HPV with an average degree of cancer risk: 31, 35, 33, 58, 51, 52.
- HPV with low grade of oncological risk (non-oncogenic) – 11, 44, 43, 42, 6.
Non-oncogenic types of viruses usually cause benign growths, i.e. papillomas, on the skin.
scaly
Squamous cell papilloma occurs as a result of the proliferation of the squamous epithelium of the skin.It forms more often in older people and is characterized by slow growth.In younger people, it can form in areas of the body that are subject to constant trauma.
Squamous cell papillomas are both formations on a thin stem and tumors that have a wide base and a rounded shape.At the beginning of its growth, the papilloma is mobile, its color is whitish, flesh or dark brown, and its size can reach one and a half to two centimeters.
With constant injury, it can become inflamed, as a result of which the cells mutate and can degenerate into cancer and a type of squamous cell cancer occurs.
invested
Inverted (transitional cell) papilloma is detected relatively rarely and has its own features of appearance and development, including:
- Specific location: this type of papillomas affects only the nose and its paranasal sinuses.The formation often grows in the maxillary sinus, frontal sinus and ethmoidal labyrinth.
- The lesion is unilateral, that is, the papilloma grows on one side of the nose, but it can be single or multiple.
- Germination of papilloma in bone structures, leading to the destruction of the walls of the orbit, palate, sinuses and bones of the skull.
- Disease relapse 5-10 years after effective treatment.
Inverted papilloma causes severe nasal congestion, the appearance of bloody discharge or nosebleeds.
If the tumor reaches a significant size, the deformation of the facial skeleton and displacement on the affected side of the eyeball are determined visually.In 5% of cases, the prolonged course of the disease in the absence of adequate therapy leads to the degeneration of the papilloma into a cancerous growth.
Location
Single or multiple papillomas can be found almost anywhere on the body.Growths on the face naturally cause more inconvenience, but papillomas in closed areas of the body are often injured by rough clothing.
Due to the peculiarities of the development of the virus and the structure of the skin, several places with predominant localization of papillomas are distinguished, these are:
- The natural folds of the body are the armpits, the groin area, and the lower abdomen if you are overweight.In women, the formation of flat, filamentous papillomas often occurs under the mammary glands.
- Hands, face, neck, back and stomach.On the face, flat and simple papillomas are usually located near the mouth, near the eyes and on the eyelids.
- The genitals are where genital warts grow most often.
- Internal organs: bladder, stomach, intestines.
- Feet.
Viral growths can also occur in the oral cavity, bladder, internal genital organs, and in the ducts of the mammary glands.Papillomas are detected in the esophagus, larynx and trachea.Growths in the throat area cause a narrowing of the lumen of this channel and then signs of respiratory failure develop.
Papillomas are considered benign formations, but under the influence of negative provoking factors they can degenerate into malignant tumors;This process takes from several months to several years.
How to determine education by symptoms?
The activation of different types of HPV can cause the appearance of three different benign formations on the skin: warts, genital warts and papillomas.
These formations have significant differences and some similar characteristics.Comparing the appearance and growth characteristics of growths on the body will help you independently determine the type of benign growth.
Warts
The appearance of a wart on the body can be determined by some external features of this growth, including:
- The size of the tumor is up to 1 cm in diameter.
- Clarity of the external limits, density on palpation and heterogeneity of the surface.
- Irregular shape, closer to round.
- The color varies from light gray to almost black.
- Features of the place.Warts appear in people mainly on open areas of the body, especially those that are subject to frequent injuries.They are hands and fingers, knees, elbows, scalp.
The virus that causes warts is almost always transmitted by personal contact, that is, through handshakes or, less frequently, through the use of certain things: towels, gloves.Most frequently diagnosed:
- Vulgar warts: in 70% of cases.Simple warts are also detected in 20% of adolescents and children of primary school age.
- Plantar: detected in 30% of patients with warts.
- The flat type of warts is diagnosed in 4% of patients with this type of papillomas.
"Butcher's warts" are classified into a separate group;They are detected in people whose specialties are related to fish or meat processing.
Papillomas
Papillomas are skin growths that are soft to the touch and extend from the body in a thin stalk or with a flat base.
The virus that causes the growth of papillomas thrives in a warm, humid environment and can therefore easily become infected in baths, saunas and swimming pools.
At the beginning of their growth, papillomas cause some burning and tingling in the upper layers of the skin, then in this place you can notice the formation of a small lump.Gradually, this growth stretches and lengthens, its dimensions vary from 0.2 mm to 1-1.5 cm in diameter.
The color of papillomas is usually flesh-colored, grayish or yellowish.These tumors grow more frequently in older people, but usually affect the skin of young people.Unlike warts, papillomas prefer to grow in closed areas of the body: under the armpits, mammary glands, in the groin area and on the inner thighs.
Papillomas usually begin to grow during long-term treatment of infectious or somatic diseases, as well as in people with weakened immune systems.A single formation gives rise to the formation of others and then papillomatosis occurs.
Condylomas
Genital warts appear on the mucous membranes only under the influence of certain types of HPV, which are transmitted in the only way - sexually.
Most often, these growths are located in the genital area and near the anus, less often in the oropharynx.Condylomas are papillary growths;Individual elements can fuse with each other and then a tumor resembling a rooster's comb appears.
It is easy to detect condylomas on the external genitals if you pay close attention to your health.It must be remembered that the mucous membrane is normally always smooth, and the appearance of roughness, tubercles and bumps on it is a reason to seek a diagnosis in a medical institution.
Routes of HPV transmission
HPV can be transmitted in several ways (sexually, from mother to fetus during childbirth, by contact) through cracks and abrasions in the skin.
The contact does not have to be direct;Often the virus remains on personal items: towels, razors, washcloths, toothbrushes.It is possible to become infected with HPV in hairdressing salons, beauty salons, and medical institutions;Insufficient disinfection of instruments leads to infection with various types of pathogenic microorganisms.
Cause of occurrence
As already clarified, the main cause of papillomas is the human papillomavirus.Infection by this microorganism goes unnoticed by humans and, sometimes, people are completely unaware that they are carriers of the infection.
According to the latest data, the different types of HPV are present in the body of a third of the world's population, with the exception of babies and the elderly.
Activation of the virus and, consequently, the growth of papillomas and the development of other diseases occurs in the following cases:
- With a significant weakening of the immune system.
- Under the influence of harmful factors, including smoking, alcohol abuse and taking certain medications.
- Exacerbations of gastrointestinal diseases, influenza.
- With prolonged use of oral contraceptives.
It has been noted that most papillomas on the body occur in people who lead a promiscuous sexual life.
Viruses in gynecology
The presence of HPV in women's bodies is considered extremely dangerous, especially types 16 and 18.
Against the background of the carriage of the papillomavirus, not only papillomas and cervical erosion arise, but also such a dangerous disease as cervical cancer.Recent studies suggest that in almost one hundred percent of cases of cervical cancer in women, HPV is detected in their body.
The virus can be detected through various tests and examinations.Based on them, the doctor selects the treatment and the woman must be constantly examined to detect in time the activation of the proliferation of the microorganism, which is the prevention of cancer.
How is it dangerous?
Many people think about the treatment and removal of papillomas only in connection with the appearance of a cosmetic defect on the skin.But such a change is only dangerous from an aesthetic point of view;It is necessary to be more careful with another consequence: the degeneration of the papilloma into a cancerous formation.
Frequent lesions of growing papillomas and their inflammation contribute to this complication.If a growth develops in the throat, vocal cords and trachea, respiratory function deteriorates, bleeding and suffocation are possible.
Papillomas in women not only impair reproductive function, but can also be transmitted to the child.Usually, the virus enters the baby directly into the mouth, and then papillomas grow in the oropharynx, interfering with breathing and voice formation.
A man who has papillomas on his body and genitals can transmit the virus to his sexual partners.The risk of transmitting HPV through towels and other objects cannot be excluded, and then the risk of infection for children and relatives living nearby arises.
Diagnosis of the disease.
The diagnosis is made based on the detection of papillomas on the body.To confirm this, a PCR or Digene test is prescribed to determine HPV.When removing papillomas, a part of the growth is taken for cytological examination.
Human papillomavirus treatment
HPV treatment should be mandatory.
Modern drugs cannot completely eliminate the virus from the body, but they are necessary to transfer the pathogen to a latent state, in which there is no infection and no diseases develop.
Papillomas on the body are removed by different methods;In addition, various groups of drugs are used to reduce viral activity.
How do they withdraw?
Papillomas on the body are removed by conventional surgery, using laser, electrocoagulation or radio wave therapy.The choice of method of cutting a papilloma depends on its location, size, number of formations and the presence of a stalk.
Conservative treatment
Drug treatment consists of a course of use of the following groups of drugs:
- Antiviral agents that can stop the virus from reproducing.
- Vitamin complexes.
- Immunity enhancing agents.
The course of treatment with drugs against human papillomavirus can be repeated several times depending on the results of the analysis.The goal of antiviral therapy is to completely suppress HPV activity.
Folk remedies
In addition to basic therapy, traditional medicine can be used.You can prevent further growth and, in some cases, destruction of the papilloma by lubricating these growths with celandine juice, castor oil, dandelion juice, garlic and sour apple.
Naturally, such removal of papillomas will take a long time and is effective in most cases when combined with the simultaneous use of antiviral drugs.
Disease prevention
Prevention of the appearance of papillomas on the body consists of sufficient personal hygiene, timely treatment and healing of all minor cuts on the body.
Be sure to follow the rule of only using your own towel, manicure sets, combs, and shoes.When having sexual relations with untested partners, you should always use a condom and, after an intimate act, shower and thoroughly clean your genitals, because the virus needs time to penetrate the epithelium.
Which doctor should I go to if I have HPV?
If papillomas appear on the body, it is best to consult a dermatovenerologist.If growths are found on the genitals, women should consult a gynecologist and men a urologist.