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 pathology occurs 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 growth degeneration in a malignant tumor is more than seventy percent. The topic of this article is what papillomas are and why they appear.
The cause of papillomas
The most common cause of papillomas is the activity of the HPV virus in the body. This virus enters the body during indiscriminate sexual intercourse or during unprotected sexual intercourse with a carrier of the infection. The disease is much less common 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 the rules of personal hygiene plays an important role in the spread of the infection.
Important!The virus can be passed on to a newborn baby if the mother has been infected in the last 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 one of the sexual partners that disrupt the integrity of the skin, the virus can enter the body through them. Once infected with HPV, a person becomes a carrier of the virus because it is impossible to completely eliminate the infection from the body. All therapies for the disease must 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 is latent, which indicates that the virus does not manifest itself for a long time. The incubation period can vary from one month to a year.
Stages of disease development
Given the question of why papillomas appear, it must be said that the disease manifests itself only as a result of reduced efficiency 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 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 the internal organs.
A papilloma is a benign tumor of the epidermis that consists of microscopic nodules that are fleshy or dark brown in color.
Clinical picture
This pathology does not have a uniform clinical picture. The nature of the symptoms depends on the location of the growths and the type of virus that is causing the changes in the body. The main symptoms inherent in the activity of HPV infection are the appearance of warts and genital warts. It should also be mentioned that the HPV virus is oncogenic, so it is very important to consult a specialist in a timely manner and start treatment.
Symptoms such as hypothermia, itching and tingling and flaking are rare. All these symptoms are characteristic of neoplasms located on those parts of the body that are prone to increased friction.
Types of neoplasms
There are five main types of neoplasms: squamous, plantar, pointed, simple, filamentous. Let's look at the causes of papillomas on the body, looking in detail at each of the types of neoplasms.
Acute papillomas
Acute papillomas (warts) 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 containing fluid inside. At a certain stage of development, the growths open on their own, which leads to the formation of weeping wounds 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 malignant tumor. In addition to the unaesthetic appearance, genital warts can cause severe discomfort during intercourse or walking. The main method of treating this form of the disease is the removal of papillomas by cryodestruction.
Squamous cell papillomas
This type of body formation is considered one of the most common. Such papillomas cause their owner discomfort only in aesthetic terms. This type of growth is almost never accompanied by changes in the patient's well-being. The formations are localized in the area of the palms, soles or back.
Papillomas do not go away on their own, they can last for many years without causing concern.
On which parts of the body are the HPV indicators localized?
Formations formed due to the activity of the human papillomavirus can form anywhere on the human body. Most often neoplasms appear in such areas of the body as:
- tongue and throat;
- the genitals;
- fingers;
- mammary gland.
In severe disease, papillomas can form in the genitourinary system and the urethra itself.
Papillomas in the chest area
An intraductal neoplasm is a tumor that forms in the milk duct. Tumor formation is accompanied by redness of the nipples, the appearance of mild itching and burning, as well as other negative manifestations. At certain stages of the pathology, the patient may experience severe pain with each touch to the affected area of the body. Later, a discharge with different colors with an unpleasant odor appears on the affected area.
Timely detection of a tumor does not pose a health hazard. However, prolonged delay in therapy may lead to the fact that the intraductal neoplasm will degenerate into a malignant tumor. This rebirth is a dangerously high risk of developing breast cancer.
This growth has the shape of a grain and resembles a small process. The color of the swelling itself can differ significantly from the main skin tone. Many people wonder why papillomas appear in the area of the mammary glands. Among the most common causes of this pathology, experts identify the impact of infectious diseases of a chronic nature, metabolic disorders or ovaries. In addition, the reasons for the appearance of intraductal tumors can be: reduced immunity or abortion procedure.
The risk group for this disease includes women with bad habits, as well as girls who have indiscriminate sexual relations.
Papillomas in the throat
This type of neoplasm forms on the surface of the laryngeal mucosa. The development of the disease is latent, ie the patient does not feel any negative changes in the body. Very rarely, the early stages of papilloma formation are accompanied by a feeling of discomfort.
However, at a certain stage in the development of the pathology, the patient begins to experience difficulty breathing, to feel a foreign body in the throat and to experience pain. Enlargement of 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.
Alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse play a significant role in the formation of this type of papilloma. In addition, neoplasms can occur as a result of frequent changes in sexual partners and refusal to use barrier methods of contraception.
Infection with this type of virus can occur when visiting the pool, bathroom and other public places. It is very important that the main component of the development of the pathology is the weakened immune system, which is unable to resist 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. The treating physician should then prescribe antiviral drugs aimed at preventing the recurrence of the disease. Also at this stage of therapy it is important to pay attention to strengthening the immune system with vitamins and immunomodulators.
Papillomas in the cervical region
Talking about what a papilloma is and what it looks like, we can not ignore this type of neoplasm. This type of wart growth has uneven borders. The growths are located 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 lie in the weak immunity, non-observance of hygiene rules, bad habits and indiscriminate sexual intercourse. The most common cause of papillomas is unprotected contact with an active carrier of the HPV virus.
The symptoms of the development of the disease are expressed in the enlargement of the regional lymph nodes. Also, many patients worry about a burning sensation in the groin area. Against the background of the development of papillomas, a discharge with an uncharacteristic color with an unpleasant odor appears. To get rid of this type of growth, you will need to go through the process of eliminating the processes. In addition, a long course of antiviral treatment will be needed to prevent recurrence of the disease.
Important!Genital neoplasms 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 one partner has an HPV infection, both partners must receive antiviral treatment.
Papillomas in the oral cavity
Papillomas in the area of the tongue have the form of papillary growths 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, the infection can also occur in a domestic way.
Home transmission is most common in young children. At this stage of life, children get to know the world around them through touch. As the immune system in childhood is not yet sufficiently developed, the virus easily enters the body.
You can get infected with the help of someone else's towel, bed linen, gloves, shaving accessories.
Disease therapy
Now is the time to think 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 the removal of 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 makes it possible to ensure the prevention of recurrence.
In addition, papillomas are removed using the method of excision, laser exposure and current pulse therapy. In case the growth is not prone to degeneration into a cancerous tumor, external drugs can be used.
It is possible to use powerful antiviral drugs only after establishing the etiology of the disease and establishing the exact type of virus. The use of creams and ointments in the initial stage of disease formation allows you to achieve a lasting result on their own.
The treatment of the HPV virus must be comprehensive. Immunomodulators, vitamins and antivirals prevent the development of relapse. Early detection of pathology will prevent serious complications in the form of degeneration of growths in a cancerous tumor.