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. The virus not only provokes the appearance of this neoplasm, 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

Papillomas: what is it

Papillomas are small neoplasms that have the same color as healthy skin or are slightly different from it. Neoplasms can appear both singly and in multiple eruptions. Depending on the species, they can be flat, pedunculated, in the form of elongated papillae. These neoplasms can be located almost everywhere: genitals, face, neck, armpits, extremities, 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 are usually painless, but in some cases they can itch, detach, cause slight tingling and/or redness. If the papilloma is located in the intimate zone, it can cause discomfort when moving.

Types of papillomas

The five most common types of papillomas are:

1. Simple. It looks like a cockscomb or 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 of the time they are located in thin skin and are elongated nodules. It is usually found in people over the age of 50.
4. Pointed. Or warts. Sexually transmitted and therefore most often forms in the genital area. They can appear one at a time or several at a time. In this case, they can merge into one large papilloma. They also differ in that they are not only formed on the surface of the genital organs, but can also grow inside the urethra or on the cervix.

Why does the papilloma appear?

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

1. The virus is very durable. Once infected, it is almost impossible to get rid of.
2. The virus is easily transmitted. Sometimes even one use of a toilet seat or towel is enough to get infected. And unprotected sex has almost a hundred percent chance of infection.
3. The virus is congenital. 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. That is why neoplasms do not appear in all infected people. But if the immune system is weakened, a papilloma (or other neoplasm caused by HPV) can appear. There are other factors that can favor papilloma formation:

1. Stress and emotional stress.
2. Advanced 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 medications (oral contraceptives, immunosuppressants).
8. Promiscuous sex life.

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

papilloma treatment

Of course, not everyone knows what papillomas are and how to treat them. And even some believe that it is not necessary to treat them, since these neoplasms are benign. Doctors have a different opinion on this matter: papillomas need to be treated, and it is desirable not to postpone treatment. So why should this benign neoplasm be treated? First of all, the papilloma can transform into a malignant neoplasm. Especially under the influence of certain factors. For example, due to intense ultraviolet radiation, injury, inflammation. Secondly, the neoplasm negatively affects the female reproductive function. If the woman is not cured and becomes pregnant, the virus will most likely be transmitted to the newborn. Thirdly, the papilloma located in the throat or trachea can make it difficult to breathe 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 cosmetic discomfort.

Types of papilloma treatment

Immediately it should be noted that you can not resort to self-medication. Only a specialist with a 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 when removing any neoplasm, it is recommended to send the removed tissue for histological examination.

Speaking of treatment, today you can choose several ways to remove 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. Also, there is a high chance of scarring at the excision site. For these reasons, this procedure is currently performed very rarely. Mainly in cases where other methods fail or when the neoplasm is too large.
2. cryodestructionThis is the name of the procedure for exposing fabrics 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 exposure site freezes, and the neoplasms die. The disadvantages include low efficiency (about 60%), since with insufficient freezing the neoplasm will not receive enough damage. And with excess, healthy tissue will be damaged.
3. Electrocoagulation. This is the name of the procedure to cauterize neoplastic tissues with electric current. Of the minuses, they call the pain of the procedure and the probability of scarring of the skin at the exposure site. But the efficiency is quite high - about 95%.
4. Removal of neoplasms by laser. The essence of the procedure is the effect of a laser beam on the tissue. As a result, the neoplasm evaporates layer by layer. Adjustable power allows you to remove the papilloma with an efficiency of almost 100%. And high accuracy allows you to exclude damage to healthy tissues. Today, laser removal is considered by many experts to be one of the most effective ways to remove papilloma. After the procedure, there is virtually no scar, no long recovery period is needed, and since an anesthetic application is applied prior to the session, the procedure is quite comfortable for the patient.

In the clinic, laser papilloma removal is performed using modern devices. No preparation is required for laser removal. But you will need to make an appointment with a laser therapist. At the appointment, the doctor will tell you what the papillomas are and how the session will be carried out. The patient will also be reviewed for contraindications.

The procedure itself is carried out quite quickly: for single neoplasms, a few minutes are enough, for multiple - 15-20. After the procedure, the specialist will inform you about the appropriate care. According to the general instructions, it is impossible to sunbathe, go to the bathhouse and sauna for 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 carried out in the presence of ailments, lesions of the central nervous system and the presence of bleeding.