Papillomas are a type of neoplasm that appears on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. In most cases, the pathology manifests itself 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. When a pathology appears against the background of the activity of the human papillomavirus, the disease is characterized as oncogenic. This nature is explained by the fact that the risk of degeneration of the growth into a malignant tumor is more than seventy percent. The subject of this article is to find out what papillomas are and why they appear.
The reason for the appearance of papillomas
The most common reason for the appearance of papillomas is the activity in the body of the HPV virus. This virus enters the body during unprotected sex or during unprotected sex 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 follow personal hygiene rules plays an important role in the spread of infection.
Important!The virus can be passed to a newborn baby if the mother was infected during the last months of pregnancy.
It is very important to know that the infection is not transmitted only through traditional sex. If there are microtraumas on the body of one of the sexual partners that violate the integrity of the skin, the virus can enter the body through them. After being infected with HPV, a person becomes a carrier of the virus, since it is impossible to completely remove the infection from the body. All therapy for the disease should be aimed at strengthening the immune system so that the immune system can cope with the disease on its own.
The development of the disease occurs latently, which indicates that the virus does not manifest itself for a long time. The incubation period can be from a month to a year.
Stages of disease development
Considering the question of why papillomas appear, it should be said that the disease manifests itself only as a result of a decrease in the performance of the immune system. Once the infection enters the human body, the virus begins to spread to the basal epithelial cells.
At the next stage of the development of the infection, various growths form on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. Such growths can appear not only on the surface of the body, but also on internal organs.
A papilloma is a benign tumor of the epidermis made up of microscopic flesh-colored or dark brown nodules.
Clinical picture
This pathology does not have a uniformly expressed clinical picture. The nature of the symptoms depends on the location of the growths and the type of virus that is causing changes in the body. The main symptomatology inherent in the activity of HPV infection is the appearance of warts and genital warts. It is also worth mentioning that the HPV virus is oncogenic, so it is very important to visit a specialist in a timely manner and start treatment.
Symptoms such as hypothermia, itching and tingling sensations and peeling are rare. All these symptoms are characteristic of neoplasms located on parts of the body subject to increased friction.
Types of neoplasms
There are five main types of neoplasms: scaly, plantar, pointed, simple, filamentous. Let's consider the reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the body, examining in detail each of the types of neoplasms.
Sharp papillomas
Sharp papillomas (condylomas) appear as a result of infection with the HPV virus during sex. In addition to their basic shape, these growths on the skin can look like small bubbles with liquid inside. At a certain stage of development, the growths open on their own, which leads to the formation of oozing sores and an unpleasant odor.
This type of neoplasm has the highest degree of oncogenicity. According to statistics, this type of growth most often degenerates into a tumor of a malignant nature. In addition to the unsightly appearance, genital warts can cause significant discomfort during sex or when walking. The main method of treating this form of the disease is the removal of papillomas by cryodestruction.
Squamous papillomas
This type of training on the body is considered one of the most common. Such papillomas bring their owner discomfort only in aesthetic terms. This type of growth is almost never accompanied by changes in the well-being of the patient. The formations are localized on the palms, soles of the feet or back.
Papillomas do not go away on their own, they can exist for many years without causing anxiety.
On what parts of the body are the HPV indicators located?
The growths formed due to the activity of the human papillomavirus can form anywhere on the human body. However, most often neoplasms occur on areas of the body such as:
- tongue and throat;
- genitals;
- fingers;
- mammary gland.
With a severe form of the disease, papillomas can form in the genitourinary system and the urethra itself.
Papillomas in the area of the mammary ducts
Intracanal neoplasm is a tumor that forms in the milk duct. The formation of a tumor is accompanied by redness 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 experience severe pain at the slightest contact with the affected area of the body. Later, on the affected area, discharge of different colors appears, having an unpleasant odor.
A tumor detected in time does not pose a danger to health. However, a prolonged delay in treatment can lead to the fact that the intracanal neoplasm will degenerate into a malignant tumor. This rebirth is a dangerously high risk of developing breast cancer.
This growth is nipple shaped and looks like a small process. The color of the bump itself can differ significantly from the base skin tone. 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 infectious diseases of a chronic nature, disturbances in the work of metabolism or ovaries. In addition, the reasons for the appearance of intracanal tumors can be: a decrease in immunity or an abortion procedure.
The susceptible risk group for 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 mucous membranes 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 first stages of papilloma formation are accompanied by a feeling of discomfort.
However, at a certain stage of the development of the pathology, the patient begins to experience difficulty in breathing, to feel a foreign body in the throat and to experience pain. An increase in the affected area can lead to changes in voice and breathing patterns. There are several specific reasons for the development of this form of the disease. The main reason is the presence of chronic diseases, as well as acute infectious diseases suffered in childhood.
The abuse of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and drugs play an important role in the formation of this type of papilloma. In addition, neoplasms may appear as a result of frequent changes of sexual partners and refusal to use barrier contraceptive methods.
Infection with this type of virus can occur when visiting swimming pools, public baths and other public places. It is very important that the main component of the development of pathology is a weakened immune system, unable to resist the activity of the virus.
An integrated approach is used to treat this form of pathology. At the first stage of treatment, it is necessary to undergo a procedure to remove the growths. After that, the attending physician should prescribe the intake of antiviral drugs aimed at preventing the relapse of the disease. Also at this stage of treatment, it is important to ensure that the immune system is strengthened with vitamins and immunomodulators.
Papillomas in the cervical region
Talking about what a papilloma is and how it looks, one can not but pay attention to this type of neoplasm. This type of warty growth has uneven boundaries. The growths are localized on the surface of the lining of the uterus. Like genital warts, this type of neoplasm has a high degree of oncogenicity. Lack of timely therapy can lead to the development of cancer.
The main reasons for the development of this pathology are hidden in low immunity, non-compliance with the rules of hygiene, bad habits and libertine sex. The most common cause of papillomas is unprotected contact with an active carrier of the HPV virus.
Symptoms of the development of the disease are manifested by an increase in regional lymph nodes. Also, many patients worry about a burning sensation in the groin area. Against the background of the development of papillomas, discharge of an unusual color appears, having an unpleasant odor. In order to get rid of this kind of growth, you will have to go through the process of removal of processes. In addition, in order to prevent a relapse of the disease, a long course of treatment with antiviral drugs will be necessary.
Important!Genital tumors can occur in both women and men. The main difference between this disease in men and women is that papillomas in men rarely degenerate into a malignant tumor. If either partner is infected with HPV, both partners should receive antiviral treatment.
Papillomas in the oral cavity
Papillomas in the region of the tongue have 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. However, infection can also occur in an outbreak.
Domestic transmission is most often seen in young children. At this stage of life, children discover the world around them using touch. As immunity in childhood is not yet sufficiently developed, the virus easily enters the body.
You can get infected by using someone else's towel, cloth, mittens, and shaving accessories.
Treatment of the disease
Now is the time to think about how to treat papillomas on the body. The method of treatment depends on the location of the growths, the depth of the lesion and the nature of the disease. The first step in treatment is to remove existing neoplasms. The cryodestruction method is most often used for this purpose.
Today, 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 visible traces. Radio waves affect not only the process itself, but also its root, which helps ensure the prevention of relapses.
In addition, papillomas are removed using the current excision method, laser exposure and pulse therapy. In case the growth is not prone to degeneration into a cancerous tumor, external drugs can be used.
It is only possible to use strong antiviral drugs once the etiology of the disease has been identified and the exact type of virus has been established. The use of creams and ointments at the initial stage of the formation of the disease allows you to achieve a lasting result on your own.
The therapy of the HPV virus must necessarily be comprehensive. Immunomodulators, vitamins and antiviral agents prevent the development of relapse. Timely detection of the pathology will prevent serious complications, in the form of degeneration of the growths into a cancerous tumor.