What are papillomas?

A fairly large part of neoplasms on the human skin is caused by the activity of the human papillomavirus (HPV). At the same time, papillomas are one of the most common of them. The virus not only causes the appearance of this neoplasia, but also gave it a name. But not all patients today know what papilloma is. If you are one of these people or just want to know more about this neoplasm, then this article is for you. In it we will talk about papillomas: what it is, what symptoms it has, why it is formed and how it is treated

Papilloma: what is it?

Papillomas are small neoplasms that either have the same color as healthy skin or are slightly different from it. Neoplasms can appear both alone and with multiple rashes. Depending on the species, they can be flat, pedunculated, in the form of elongated papillae. These neoplasms can be located almost anywhere: genitals, face, neck, armpit, limbs, etc.

It is also worth noting that papillomas are benign neoplasms. That is, they do not belong to oncological tumors. However, doctors do not recommend leaving them as they are.

Papillomas usually do not hurt, but in some cases they may itch, peel, tingle, and/or be mildly red. If the papilloma is located in the intimate area, it can cause discomfort during movement.

Types of papillomas

The five most common types of papillomas are:

1. Simple. It looks like a rooster comb or a cauliflower.
2. Flat. Such a neoplasm is a flat nodule located on the surface of the skin. It can also form on the cervix.
3. Filiform. Most often located in thin skin and are elongated nodes. It is usually found in people over 50 years old.
4. Pointy. Or warts. It is sexually transmitted, and therefore most often forms in the genital area. They can appear one by one or several at the same time. In this case, they can merge into a large papilloma. They also differ in that they form not only on the surface of the genitals, but can also grow inside the urethra or on the cervix.

Why does papilloma appear?

As we wrote above, the main reason for the appearance of papillomas is the activity of the human papillomavirus. It is worth noting that according to WHO, today about four out of five people (or even more) are infected with papillomavirus. This is due to several reasons:

1. The virus is very stable. Once infected, it is almost impossible to get rid of it.
2. The virus is easily transmitted. Sometimes even one use of the toilet seat or towel is enough to become infected. And unprotected sex has almost a hundred percent chance of getting infected.
3. The virus is innate. Very often, the virus is transmitted from mother to newborn, so many people are born with already acquired papillomavirus.

In general, although our immunity does not destroy the virus, it can suppress it well. Therefore neoplasms do not appear in all infected persons. But if the immune system weakens, then papilloma (or another neoplasm caused by HPV) may appear. There are other factors that can favor the formation of papilloma:

1. Stress and emotional stress.
2. Old age.
3. Alcohol abuse, smoking.
4. Excessive physical activity.
5. Lack of vitamins in the body.
6. some other diseases. For example, endocrine diseases.
7. Taking certain drugs (oral contraceptives, immunosuppressants).
8. Promiscuous sex life.

After the virus enters the body, external manifestations of papilloma do not appear immediately. What does it depend on? From the state of immunity and the duration of the incubation period (from several weeks to several years). Therefore, with a good state of immune protection, the first manifestations may appear even after a year. In this case, a person can be infected with several strains of HPV at the same time (there are about 170 of them).

papilloma treatment

Of course, not everyone knows what papillomas are and how to treat them. And some even believe that it is not necessary to treat them, since these neoplasms are benign. Doctors have a different opinion on this matter: papillomas must be treated and it is desirable not to delay treatment. So why should this benign neoplasm be treated? First, the papilloma can turn into a malignant neoplasm. Especially under the influence of several factors. For example, due to intense ultraviolet radiation, injury, inflammation. Secondly, the neoplasia negatively affects the female reproductive function. If the woman does not recover and becomes pregnant, then there is a high chance that the virus will be transmitted to the newborn. Thirdly, the papilloma located in the throat or trachea can make breathing difficult or even cause suffocation. Fourth, as already mentioned, the papillomavirus is transmitted quite easily, and therefore an untreated neoplasm can be very contagious. Fifth, neoplasms can cause aesthetic concerns.

Types of papilloma treatment

It should be noted right away that you cannot resort to self-medication. Only a specialist with medical education knows exactly how to diagnose papillomas, what it is and how it is treated. At the same time, it should be remembered that during the removal of any neoplasia, it is recommended to send the cut tissue for histological examination.

Speaking of treatment, today you can choose several ways to eliminate the neoplasm.

1. Surgical removal. The operation is performed under local anesthesia. The neoplasm is removed with a scalpel along with the adjacent healthy tissue. Because of this, the healing process can take a long time. In addition, there is a high probability of teeth at the excision site. For these reasons, this procedure is currently performed quite rarely. Mainly in cases where other methods fail or when the neoplasia is very large.
2. Cryodestruction. This is the name of the procedure for exposing tissues to ultra-low temperatures. Most often, the procedure is carried out using liquid nitrogen, which has a temperature of -196 ° C. As a result, the water in the cells at the site of exposure is frozen and the neoplasms die. The disadvantages include low efficiency (about 60%), since with insufficient freezing, the neoplasm will not be sufficiently damaged. And moreover - healthy tissue will be damaged.
3. Electrocoagulation. This is the name of the procedure for cauterization of neoplasm tissues with electric current. Of the minuses, they call the pain of the procedure and the possibility of scarring of the skin at the site of exposure. But the efficiency is quite high: about 95%.
4. Laser removal of neoplasia. The essence of the procedure is the effect of a laser beam on the tissue. As a result, the neoplasia evaporates layer by layer. Adjustable power allows you to remove the papilloma with almost 100% efficiency. And high accuracy allows you to exclude damage to healthy tissues. Today, laser removal is considered by many experts as one of the most effective ways to eliminate papillomas. After the procedure, there are practically no scars, a long recovery period is not needed and since anesthesia is applied before the session, the procedure is quite comfortable for the patient.

In the clinic, laser removal of papillomas is performed using modern equipment. Preparation for laser removal is not required. But you will need to make an appointment with a laser therapist. At the appointment, the doctor will tell you what papillomas are and how the session will take place. The patient will also be screened for contraindications.

The procedure itself takes place quite quickly: for single neoplasms, a few minutes are enough, for multiple ones - 15-20. After the procedure, the specialist will tell you about proper care. According to general guidelines, it is impossible to sunbathe, go to the bath and sauna during the first two weeks. You will also need to take care of the treated area.

Do not forget about the contraindications to the procedure. Laser removal of papillomas is not performed in the presence of any disease, lesions of the central nervous system and the presence of bleeding.