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 pronounced shape and flat warts. These growths can appear in any area of the human body. When a pathology appears against the background of human papillomavirus activity, 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 reason for the appearance of papillomas
The most common reason for the appearance of papillomas is activity in the body of the HPV virus. This virus enters the body against the background of ugly sexual intercourse or during unprotected intercourse with a carrier of the infection. Much less often, the disease occurs 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-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
Important!The virus can be transmitted to a newborn baby if the mother is 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 is microtrauma in the body of one of the sexual partners that violates the integrity of the skin, the virus can enter the body through them. By becoming infected with HPV, a person becomes a carrier of the virus, as it is impossible to completely remove the infection from the body. All therapies for the disease should aim to strengthen the immune system so that the immune system can cope with the disease on its own.
The development of the disease occurs secretly, which indicates that the virus does not appear for a long period of time. The incubation period can range from one month to one year.
Stages of disease development
Considering the question why papillomas appear, it should be said that the disease appears 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.
In 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.
Papilloma is a benign tumor of the epidermis consisting of microscopic nodules of flesh or dark brown color.
Clinical photography
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 the 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 and redness are rare. All of these symptoms are characteristic of neoplasms located in those parts of the body that are prone to increased friction.
Types of neoplasms
There are five main types of neoplasms: squamous, squamous, pointed, simple, filamentous. Let us look at the reasons for the appearance of papillomas in the body, examining in detail each of the types of neoplasms.
Pointed papilloma
Severe papillomas (warts) appear as a result of infection with the HPV virus during sexual intercourse. In addition to their basic shape, these growths on the skin may 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 scars 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 unaesthetic appearance, genital warts can cause severe discomfort during sexual intercourse or while walking. The main method of treatment for this form of the disease is the removal of papillomas by cryodestruction.
Squamous papilloma
This type of formation in the body is considered one of the most common. Such papillomas give their owner discomfort only in aesthetic terms. This type of increase is almost never associated with changes in patient 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 exist for many years without causing anxiety.
In which parts of the body are HPV indicators located?
Growths formed due to human papillomavirus activity can form anywhere in the human body. However, most often neoplasms occur in 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 canals
Intraductal neoplasm is a tumor that forms in the milk duct. The formation of a tumor is associated with redness of the nipples, the appearance of itching and slight burning, as well as other negative manifestations. At certain stages of pathology development, the patient may experience severe pain with each touch on the affected area of the body. Later, in the affected area, discharge of various colors appears, which have an unpleasant odor.
A tumor detected in time does not pose a health risk. However, prolonged delay in therapy may lead to the fact that the intraductal neoplasm will degenerate into a malignant tumor. This rebirth is a very high risk of developing breast cancer.
This growth has a nipple shape and resembles a small process. The color of the bumps themselves can vary 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 impact of infectious diseases of a chronic nature, disturbances in the work of metabolism or ovaries. Furthermore, the reasons for the appearance of intraductal tumors may be: a decline in immunity or an abortion procedure.
The risk group susceptible to this disease includes women with bad habits, as well as girls who have a debauched sex life.
Papilloma in the throat
This type of neoplasm forms on the surface of the laryngeal mucosa. The development of the disease occurs late, i. e. 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 of pathology development, 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.
An important role in the formation of this type of papilloma 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 during visits to swimming pools, spas 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. In the first phase of therapy, it is necessary to undergo a procedure to remove the growths. After that, the attending physician should prescribe taking antiviral drugs aimed at preventing 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 how it looks, you can not pay attention to this type of neoplasm. This type of wart growth has uneven borders. The growths are localized on the surface of the mucosa 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 ugly sex. 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 an increase in regional lymph nodes. Also, many patients are concerned about a burning sensation in the groin area. Against the background of the development of papillomas, appears the discharge of an unusual color, which has an unpleasant odor. To get rid of this type of growth, you will need to go through the process of removing the processes. Furthermore, 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 should receive antiviral treatment.
Papilloma in the oral cavity
Papillomas in the tongue area take the form of papillary processes with a diameter of several centimeters. The reason for the appearance of this category of growths is the close contact with the carrier of the infection. However, the infection can also occur in a domestic way.
Transmission in the family is most often 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 by using someone else's towels, linen, gloves, shaving equipment.
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 the removal of 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 the growth without leaving visible marks. Radio waves affect not only the process itself, but also its root, which makes it possible to guarantee reversal prevention.
In addition, papillomas are removed using the incision method, laser exposure, and current pulse therapy. If the growth is not prone to degeneration into a cancerous tumor, external medications may be used.
It is medically possible to use powerful antiviral drugs only after the etiology of the disease has been identified and the exact type of virus has been established. The use of creams and oils in the initial stage of disease formation allows you to achieve a lasting result on your own.
HPV therapy must necessarily be comprehensive. Immunomodulators, vitamins and antiviral agents prevent the development of relapse. Early detection of pathology will prevent serious complications, in the form of degeneration of growths in a cancerous tumor.