Papilloma is a lesion of the skin and mucous membranes caused by the human papillomavirus.
Causes - Viruses of the genus Papilloma virus. Currently, more than 60 variants of them are known, 32 are recognized as pathogenic.Transmission routes - contact (through the skin microtrauma), genitals, perinatal (at birth).
Manifestations of papillomas
- Cutaneous papillomas (warts).
Most often observed on the hands, less often on other parts of the body. Localized lesions are common in children and adolescents. In immunocompromised patients, wart lesions may be widespread. The incubation period is 1-6 months. The maximum virus content in the affected tissues is recorded 6 months after infection. - vulgar (simple) papillomas.
Their causative agent is the human papillomavirus (HPV). This shape is manifested by hard shocks with a rough surface of 1 mm in diameter or more with a tendency to braid. Vulgar papillomas often cover a large area. They can appear anywhere, but they are more often located on the back of the palms and fingers, in children - on the knees. A single papilloma can exist for several months or even years, virtually unchanged, but a rapid spread of the process is also possible. There are isolated cases of papilloma degeneration in a tumor. Immune inhibition conditions contribute to the spread of the process. - Plantar papillomas.
The causative agent is HPV-1 (deep form), HPV-2 (mosaic warts) and HPV-4 (minor lesions). The process begins with the appearance of a small, shiny shock that acquires the characteristics of a typical papilloma, surrounded by a protruding rim. Sometimes several daughter formations resembling bubbles appear around a papilloma - mosaic warts. Plantar papillomas can be painful and make it difficult to walk. The duration of their existence is different. In some cases, especially in children, spontaneous disappearance of any number of papillomas is possible. This type of disease is often confused with calluses that appear in places with pressure on the fingers or between the fingers. Unlike papillomas, corns have a smooth surface with a skin pattern. - Flat papillomas.
Their causative agent is HPV-3 and HPV-10. They are represented by smooth dents in the color of normal skin (light yellow or slightly colored). They can be round or polygonal in shape. The appearance of flat papillomas, mainly in children, is usually accompanied by itching, inflammation in the affected area, redness, tenderness. - Filiform papillomas.
They are more commonly found in 50% of the population over 50 years of age in the armpits, groin, neck, around the eyes. The process begins with the appearance of small yellowish or slightly colored cones, after which they are enlarged and transformed into elongated dense elastic formations up to 5-6 mm in size. In places with possible trauma, papillomas can become inflamed. Their spontaneous disappearance does not occur. - Local epithelial hyperplasia (Beck's disease).
The causative agents are human papillomaviruses 13 and 32. The disease was first described in Native Americans. Observed on the mucous membranes of the mouth, tongue, lips in the form of small fusing papillary eminences. - genital warts.
The causative agents of genital warts are human papillomavirus with low (6, 11), medium (31, 33, 35) and high (16, 18) oncological risk. Viruses are sexually transmitted. The incubation period lasts from several weeks to months. In some cases, the lesions are minimal and often go unnoticed. Infected cells are prone to malignant degeneration. In most cases, a long and widespread process accompanies immune deficiency conditions.
Cervical cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women with genital warts. Despite the age of the patients, the viral genome is detected in most cases by DNA hybridization. The causative agent is HPV-18. - Juvenile papillomatosis of the larynx.
The causative agents are HPV-6 and HPV-11. They are rarely registered. In most cases, papillomatosis is detected in children under 5 years of age who are infected in the mother's birth canal. The appearance of characteristic growths on the vocal cords is observed, leading to speech difficulties and decreased air circulation in the upper respiratory tract.
Treatment of papillomas
The same symptoms may be signs of different diseases and the disease may not continue according to the textbook. Do not try to cure yourself - consult your doctor.
There is currently no common international standard for the treatment of papillomas. The official treatment guidelines so far include
- cytostatics (antineoplastic drugs),
- cryo laser,
- electrical damage.
However, they are not always effective and are accompanied by relapse.
Other treatments for papillomas:
- For cutaneous and vulgar (simple) papillomas - surgical removal (cryodestruction, laser removal in combination with immunity correction).
- For plantar - cryodestruction, laser and / or diathermocoagulation.
- Mosaic papillomas are the most difficult to treat. When they disappear, especially in children, signs of inflammation are seen.
- For flat shapes - cryotherapy with immunity correction.
- For filiform - diathermocoagulation.
- For local epithelial hyperplasia, cryotherapy with immunity correction.
- In case of skin dysplasia, cryotherapy or diathermocoagulation with subsequent correction of immunity.
- In genital warts - removal of warts by cryotherapy, laser cutting or diathermocoagulation and mandatory correction of the immune system.
Treatment of genital papillomas can be difficult for other sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, herpes, CMV infection, etc. ). In these cases, the treatment is performed in parallel.