Papillomas are a type of neoplasm that appears on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. In most cases, the pathology is manifested in the form of genital warts, which have a pointed shape and flat warts. These growths can appear in any area of the human body. If a pathology occurs against the background of the activity of the human papillomavirus, then the disease is called oncogenic. This nature is explained by the fact that the risk of degeneration of growth into a malignant tumor is more than seventy percent. The topic of this article is what papillomas are and why they occur.
The reason for the appearance of papillomas
The most common reason papillomas appear is the activity of the HPV virus in the body. This virus enters the body against the background of promiscuous intercourse or during unprotected intercourse with a carrier of the infection. Much less often, the disease manifests itself in people who abuse alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.
It should also be noted that the risk group susceptible to this infection includes people with weakened immunity, metabolic disorders and problems with the functioning of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Failure to observe the rules of personal hygiene plays an important role in the spread of the infection.
Important!The virus can be transmitted to a newborn baby if the mother was infected in the last few months of pregnancy.
It is very important to know that the infection is not only transmitted through traditional sexual intercourse. If there are microtraumas on the body of any of the sexual partners that violate the integrity of the skin, then the virus can get into the body through them. Once infected with HPV, a person becomes the carrier of the virus as it is impossible to completely remove the infection from the body. All therapies for the disease should aim to strengthen the immune system so that the immune system can manage the disease on its own.
The development of the disease is latent, which suggests that the virus has not manifested itself for a long period of time. The incubation period can be from a month to a year.
Stages of development of the disease
Considering the question of why papillomas appear, it should be said that the disease is manifested only by a decrease in the efficiency of the immune system. After the infection enters the human body, the virus begins to spread in the basal epithelial cells.
At the next stage of the development of the infection, various growths are formed on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. Such growths can appear not only on the surface of the body, but also on the internal organs.
A papilloma is a benign tumor of the epidermis that consists of microscopic nodules that are flesh-colored or dark brown in color.
Clinical picture
This pathology does not have a uniformly expressed clinical picture. The type of symptoms will depend on the location of the growths and the type of virus that is causing changes in the body. The main symptoms of HPV infection are the appearance of warts and genital warts. It is also worth noting that the HPV virus is oncogenic, so it is very important to consult a specialist in good time and initiate therapy.
Symptoms such as hypothermia, itching and tingling, and flaking are rare. All of these symptoms are characteristic of neoplasms that are found on those parts of the body that are prone to increased friction.
Types of neoplasms
There are five main types of neoplasms: squamous cell carcinoma, plantar, pointed, simple, filamentous. Let's look at the reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the body and examine each of the types of neoplasms in detail.
Pointed papillomas
Pointed papillomas (condylomas) occur as a result of infection with the HPV virus during sexual intercourse. In addition to their basic shape, these growths on the skin can look like small bubbles that contain fluid. At a certain stage of development, the growths open by themselves, which leads to the formation of weeping wounds and an unpleasant odor.
This type of neoplasm has the highest level of oncogenicity. According to statistics, this type of growth most often degenerates into a malignant tumor. In addition to their unsightly appearance, genital warts can cause severe discomfort during sexual intercourse or when walking. The main treatment method for this form of the disease is the removal of papillomas using cryodestruction.
Squamous cell papillomas
This type of formations on the body is considered to be one of the most common. Such papillomas cause discomfort to their owner only from an aesthetic point of view. This type of growth is almost never accompanied by changes in the patient's well-being. Formations are localized in the area of the palms of the hands, soles of the feet or the back.
Papillomas do not go away on their own, they can persist for many years without causing fear.
At which parts of the body are HPV indicators localized?
The growths formed by the activity of the human papillomavirus can form anywhere on the human body. Most often, however, neoplasms appear in such areas of the body as:
- Tongue and throat;
- Genitals;
- Finger;
- Mammary gland.
With a severe form of the disease, papillomas can form in the genitourinary system and in the urethra itself.
Papillomas in the milk ducts
Intraductal neoplasia is a tumor that forms in the milk duct. The formation of a tumor is accompanied by reddening of the nipples, the appearance of slight itching and burning, as well as other negative manifestations. At certain stages of the development of the pathology, the patient may feel severe pain every time the affected area of the body is touched. Later, discharge of different colors appears on the affected area, which has an unpleasant smell.
A tumor detected in good time does not pose a health risk. However, a longer delay in therapy can lead to the intraductal neoplasm degenerating into a malignant tumor. This rebirth is a dangerously high risk of developing breast cancer.
This growth is nipple shaped and resembles a small process. The color of the bump itself can differ significantly from the basic tone of the skin. Many people wonder why papillomas appear in the area of the mammary glands. Among the most common reasons for the appearance of this pathology, experts identify the influence of chronic infectious diseases, disorders of metabolic work or the ovaries. In addition, the reasons for the appearance of intraductal tumors can be: a decrease in immunity or an abortion procedure.
The risk group prone to this disease includes women with bad habits as well as girls who have promiscuous sex lives.
Papillomas in the throat
This type of neoplasm forms on the surface of the lining of the larynx. The development of the disease occurs latently, that is, the patient does not feel any negative changes in the body. Very rarely, the early stages of papilloma formation are associated with discomfort.
However, at a certain stage in the development of the pathology, the patient begins to have difficulty breathing, feel a foreign body in the throat and feel pain. Increasing the size of the affected area can lead to changes in voice and breathing patterns. There are several specific reasons for developing this form of the disease. The main reason is the presence of chronic diseases, as well as acute infectious diseases in childhood.
An important role in the formation of this type of papilloma is played by the abuse of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and drugs. In addition, neoplasms can occur as a result of frequent changes in sexual partners and the refusal to use barrier methods of contraception.
Infection with this type of virus can occur while visiting swimming pools, bathhouses, and other public places. It is very important that the main component of the development of the pathology is a weakened immune system, which can not withstand the activity of the virus.
An integrated approach is used to treat this form of pathology. At the first stage of therapy, it is necessary to undergo a procedure to remove the growths. After that, the attending physician should prescribe the use of antiviral drugs to prevent relapse of the disease. In this phase of therapy, too, it is important to ensure that the immune system is strengthened with vitamins and immunomodulators.
Papillomas in the neck area
Talking about what a papilloma is and what it looks like, one can only pay attention to this type of neoplasm. This type of wart growth has uneven borders. The growths are localized on the surface of the mucous membranes in the uterus. Like genital warts, this type of neoplasm has a high degree of oncogenicity. The lack of timely therapy can lead to the development of cancer.
The main reasons for the development of this pathology lie in weak immunity, non-observance of the rules of hygiene, bad habits and promiscuous sexual intercourse. The most common cause of papillomas is unprotected contact with an active HPV virus carrier.
Symptoms of the development of the disease are expressed in an increase in regional lymph nodes. In addition, many patients fear a burning sensation in the groin area. Against the background of the development of papillomas, an uncharacteristic color with an unpleasant odor appears. To get rid of this type of growth, you need to go through the procedure for removing the processes. In addition, to prevent relapse of the disease, long treatment with antiviral drugs is necessary.
Important!Genital neoplasms can occur in both women and men. The main difference between this disease in men and women is that papillomas rarely degenerate into a malignant tumor in men. If one partner has HPV infection, both partners need antiviral treatment.
Papillomas in the oral cavity
Papillomas in the area of the tongue are in the form of papillary processes with a diameter of several centimeters. The reason for the manifestation of this category of growths is close contact with the carrier of the infection. Infection can also occur in the household.
Household transmission is most commonly seen in young children. In this phase of life, children get to know the world around them through touch. Since immunity is not sufficiently developed in childhood, the virus easily enters the body.
You can become infected with foreign towels, bedding, gloves, or shaving accessories.
Disease therapy
Now is the time to start thinking about how to treat papillomas on the body. The method of therapy depends on the location of the growths, the depth of the lesion, and the nature of the disease. The first stage of treatment is to remove existing neoplasms. The cryodestruction method is most commonly used for this purpose.
Nowadays, more and more specialists recommend the technique of radio wave surgery to their patients. This method is completely painless and allows you to remove growths without leaving any visible marks. Radio waves affect not only the process itself, but also its root, which makes it possible to ensure the prevention of relapse.
In addition, papillomas are removed using the excision method, laser exposure, and current pulse therapy. In the event that the growth is not prone to a cancerous tumor, external drugs can be used.
It is possible to use effective antiviral drugs only after identifying the etiology of the disease and establishing the exact type of virus. The use of creams and ointments at the initial stages of the development of the disease allows you to achieve a permanent result yourself.
The therapy of the HPV virus must absolutely be comprehensive. Immunomodulators, vitamins and antivirals prevent relapse from developing. Timely detection of the pathology prevents serious complications in the form of degeneration of growths into a cancerous tumor.