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 are pointed and flat warts. These increases can occur in any area of the human body. When a pathology appears in the background of human papillomavirus activity, the disease is characterized as an oncogene. This nature is explained by the fact that the risk of degeneration of growth into malignancy is more than seventy percent. The topic of this article is what papillomas are and why they appear.
The reason for the appearance of papillomas
The most common cause of papillomas is activity in the body of the HPV virus. This virus enters the body in the background of sexual intercourse or unprotected intercourse with the carrier of the infection. Much less often, the disease manifests itself in people who abuse alcohol, smoking, and drugs.
It should also be noted that people at risk for this infection include people with impaired immunity, metabolic disorders, and problems with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Non-compliance with personal hygiene rules plays an important role in the spread of the infection.
Important!The virus can be transmitted to a newborn if the mother became infected in the last months of pregnancy.
It is very important to know that the infection does not only spread through traditional sexual intercourse. If one of the sexual partners has microtraumas on their body that violate 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 remove the infection from the body. All therapies for the disease should be aimed at strengthening the immune system in order for the immune system to cope with the disease on its own.
The disease develops latently, indicating that the virus does not manifest for a long time. The incubation period can range from one month to one year.
Stages of disease development
Considering the issue of the appearance of papillomas, it must be said that the disease manifests itself only as a result of a decrease in the performance of the immune system. Once the infection has entered the human body, the virus begins to spread in the basal epithelial cells.
In the next stage of infection, various growths form on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. Such increases can appear not only on the surface of the body but also on the internal organs.
Papilloma is a benign tumor of the epidermis consisting of flesh-colored or dark brown microscopic nodules.
Clinical picture
There is no uniformly expressed clinical picture of this pathology. 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 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 an oncogene, so it is very important that you consult a specialist in time and start therapy.
Symptoms such as hypothermia, itching and tingling, and peeling are rare. All of these symptoms are characteristic of neoplasms, which are located in parts of the body that are prone to increased friction.
Types of tumors
There are five main types of neoplasms: flat, plantar, pointed, simple, filamentous. Let’s look at the causes of papillomas in the body, examining in detail all types of neoplasms.
Pointed papillomas
Pointed papillomas (condylomas) appear as a result of infection during intercourse with the HPV virus. In addition to these basic forms, the growths on the skin may appear as small bubbles that contain fluid inside. At some stage in the development, the growths open on their own, leading to the formation of weeping wounds and an unpleasant odor.
This type of tumor has the highest degree of oncogenicity. According to statistics, this type of growth most often degenerates into a malignancy. In addition to an aesthetic appearance, genital warts can cause severe discomfort during intercourse or while walking. The main way to treat this form of the disease is to remove papillomas by cryodestruction.
Scaly papillomas
Formations of this type are considered to be one of the most common in the body. Such papillomas only cause aesthetic discomfort to their owner. This type of growth is almost never accompanied by a change in the patient’s well-being. The formations are located in the palm, sole, or back area.
Papillomas do not go away on their own, they can exist for many years without causing anxiety.
In which parts of the body are HPV indicators localized?
Increases due to human papillomavirus activity can occur anywhere in the human body. However, tumors most commonly occur in areas of the body such as:
- tongue and throat;
- genitals;
- fingers;
- mammary gland.
With the severe form of the disease, papillomas can develop in the urogenital system and in the urethra itself.
Papillomas in the mammary duct area
Intraductal neoplasm is a tumor that develops in the milk duct. Tumor development is accompanied by redness of the nipples, the appearance of mild itching and burning, and other negative manifestations. At certain stages in the development of the pathology, the patient may experience severe pain with any contact with the affected area of the body. Later, different colored secretions appear in the affected area, with an unpleasant odor.
A tumor detected in time does not pose a health risk. However, long delays in therapy may lead to the fact that the intraductal neoplasm progresses to malignancy. This rebirth poses a dangerously high risk of developing breast cancer.
This growth is nipple-shaped and resembles a small process. The color of the bulge itself can differ significantly from the basic skin color. Many people wonder why papillomas appear in the area of the mammary glands. Among the most common causes of pathology, experts identify disorders of chronic infectious diseases, metabolism, or ovarian function. In addition, there may be reasons for the appearance of intraductal tumors: decreased immunity or abortion.
Women at risk of the disease include girls with bad habits as well as girls who have sex.
Papillomas in the throat
This type of tumor forms on the surface of the laryngeal mucosa. The development of the disease occurs latently, i. e. the patient does not feel any negative changes in the body. Very rarely, the early stages of papilloma development are accompanied by discomfort.
However, at some stage in the development of the pathology, the patient experiences difficulty breathing, a foreign body in the throat, and pain. An increase in the affected area can lead to changes in sound and breathing habits. There are several specific reasons for the development of this form of the disease. The main reason for this 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 development of this type of papilloma. In addition, tumors may appear as a result of frequent changes in sexual partners and rejection of contraceptive methods.
Infection with this type of virus can occur during visits to swimming pools, spas, 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. In the first stage of therapy, it is necessary to perform a procedure to remove the growths. Thereafter, the treating physician should prescribe antiviral medications to prevent relapse. Even at this stage of therapy, it is important to pay attention to strengthening the immune system with vitamins and immunomodulators.
Papillomas in the neck region
When we talk about what a papilloma is and what it looks like, you just have to pay attention to these types of tumors. This type of warty growth has uneven boundaries. The growths are localized on the surface of the uterine mucosa. Like genital warts, this type of tumor has a high degree of oncogenicity. Lack of timely therapy can lead to cancer.
The main reasons for the development of this pathology are weak immunity, non-compliance with hygiene rules, bad habits and sexual intercourse. The most common cause of papillomas is unprotected contact with active HPV.
Symptoms of the disease are manifested by the growth of regional lymph nodes. In addition, many patients are concerned about the burning sensation in the groin. In the background of the development of papillomas, an unusually colored secretion appears, with an unpleasant odor. In order to get rid of this type of growth, you have to go through the process of removing the processes. In addition, long-term antiviral drugs should be used to prevent recurrence of the disease.
Important!Genital tumors can occur in both men and women. The main difference between this disease in men and women is that papillomas in men rarely degenerate into a malignancy. If one partner has HPV infection, both partners must receive antiviral treatment.
Papillomas in the oral cavity
Papillomas in the area of the tongue occur in the form of papillary processes several centimeters in diameter. The reason for the manifestation of this category of growth is the close connection with the carrier of the infection. However, the infection can also occur at home.
Household infection is most common in young children. At this stage in life, children get to know the world around them through touch. Because childhood immunity is not yet sufficiently developed, the virus easily enters the body.
You can get infected with someone’s towel, bedding, gloves, shaving accessories.
Disease therapy
It’s time to consider how to treat papillomas in your body. The method of therapy depends on the site of growth, the depth of the injury and the nature of the disease. The first stage of treatment is the removal of existing tumors. The cryodestruction method is most often used for this purpose.
Today, more and more professionals are recommending the technique of radio wave surgery to their patients. This method is completely painless and allows the growth to be removed without leaving visible traces. Radio waves affect not only the process itself, but also its root, which makes it possible to prevent relapse.
In addition, papillomas are removed by excision method, laser exposure, and current pulsed therapy. In case the growth is not prone to degeneration into a cancerous tumor, external drugs can be used.
Strong antiviral drugs should only be used after the etiology of the disease has been identified and the exact type of virus established. The use of creams and ointments in the early stages of the disease allows you to achieve lasting results on your own.
Therapy for the HPV virus must necessarily be comprehensive. Immunomodulators, vitamins and antiviral agents prevent the development of relapse. Timely recognition of the pathology prevents severe complications in the form of degeneration of growth into a cancerous tumor.