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 topic of this article is what papillomas are and why do 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 against the background of promiscuous sexual intercourse or during unprotected intercourse 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. An important role in the spread of infection is played by non-observance of the rules of personal hygiene.
Important!The virus can be transmitted to a newborn baby if the mother was infected in the last months of pregnancy.
It is very important to know that the infection is transmitted not only through traditional sexual intercourse. 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. Having become infected with HPV, a person becomes a carrier of the virus, since 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 development of the disease occurs latently, which indicates that the virus does not manifest itself for a long period of time. The incubation period can range from one month to a year.
Stages of development of the disease
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. After the infection enters the human body, the virus begins to spread in the basal epithelial cells.
At the next stage of the development of the infection, various growths are formed 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 flesh-colored or dark brown in color.
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 causes changes in the body. The main symptomatology inherent in the activity of HPV infection is 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 therapy.
Symptoms such as hypothermia, itching and tingling sensations, and flaking are rare. All of 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 reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the body, examining in detail each of the types of neoplasms.
Pointed papillomas
Pointed papillomas (condylomas) appear as a result of infection with the HPV virus during intercourse. In addition to its main shape, these growths on the skin can look like small bubbles containing liquid inside. At a certain stage of development, the growths open up 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 growths most often degenerates into a tumor of a malignant nature. In addition to an unaesthetic appearance, genital warts can cause severe discomfort during intercourse or when walking. The main method of treatment for this form of the disease is the removal of papillomas by cryodestruction.
Squamous papillomas
This type of formations on the body is considered one of the most common. Such papillomas provide their owner with discomfort only in aesthetic terms. This type of growth is almost never accompanied by changes in the patient's well-being. Formations are localized in the area of the palms, soles of the feet or back.
Papillomas do not disappear on their own, they can exist for many years without causing anxiety.
On what parts of the body are HPV indicators localized?
The growths formed due to the activity of the human papillomavirus can form on any part of the human body. However, most often neoplasms occur on such areas of the body 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 breast ducts
Intraductal neoplasm is a tumor that forms in the milk duct. The formation of a tumor is accompanied by reddening of the nipples, the appearance of mild itching and burning, as well as other negative manifestations. At certain stages of the development of pathology, the patient may experience severe pain with any touch to the affected area of the body. Later, on the affected area, discharge of various colors appears, having an unpleasant odor.
A timely detected tumor does not pose a health hazard. However, prolonged delay in therapy can 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 a nipple shape and resembles a small process. The color of the bump itself may differ significantly from the basic 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 with a chronic nature, disturbances in the work of metabolism or ovaries. In addition, the reasons for the appearance of intraductal tumors can be: a decrease in immunity or an abortion procedure.
The risk group susceptible to this disease includes women with bad habits, as well as girls who are promiscuous.
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 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, feel a foreign body in the throat and 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.
A significant role in the formation of this type of papillomas is played by the abuse of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and drugs. In addition, neoplasms can appear 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 while visiting the pool, bathhouse and other public places. It is very important that the main component of the development of pathology is a 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 for removing the growths. After that, the attending physician should prescribe antiviral drugs aimed at preventing relapse 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
Speaking about what a papilloma is and how it looks, one cannot but pay attention to this type of neoplasm. This type of warty growth has uneven borders. The growths are localized on the surface of the mucous membranes in 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 weak immunity, non-observance of hygiene rules, bad habits and promiscuous sexual intercourse. The most common cause of papillomas is unprotected contact with an active HPV virus carrier.
Symptoms of the development of the disease are expressed in an increase in regional lymph nodes. Also, many patients are worried about a burning sensation in the groin area. Against the background of the development of papillomas, discharge of an uncharacteristic color appears, having an unpleasant odor. In order to get rid of this type of growth, you will need to go through the procedure for removing the processes. In addition, in order to prevent a relapse of the disease, a long course of treatment with antiviral drugs will be required.
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 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 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 a household way.
Household transmission is most commonly seen in young children. At this stage of life, children learn about the world around them with the help of touch. Since immunity in childhood is not yet sufficiently developed, the virus easily enters the body.
You can get infected using someone else's towel, linen, mittens, shaving accessories.
Disease therapy
Now is the time to consider 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 to remove existing neoplasms. The cryodestruction method is most often used for this purpose.
Today, more and more specialists are recommending the technique of radio wave surgery to their patients. This method is completely painless and allows you to remove growths without leaving visible marks. Radio waves affect not only the process itself, but also its root, which makes it possible to guarantee the prevention of relapse.
In addition, papillomas are removed using the excision method, laser exposure and current pulse therapy. In the event that the growth is not prone to degeneration into a cancerous tumor, external medications can be used.
It is possible to use potent antiviral medicines only after 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.
Therapy of the HPV virus must necessarily be comprehensive. Immunomodulators, vitamins and antiviral agents prevent the development of relapse. Timely detection of pathology will prevent serious complications, in the form of degeneration of growths into a cancerous tumor.