Papilloma is a lesion of the skin and mucous membranes caused by the human papillomavirus.
Causative agents - viruses of the genus Papilloma virus. Currently, more than 60 variants are known of them, 32 are recognized as disease-causing.
Routes of transmission - contact (through skin microtrauma), sexual, perinatal (in childbirth).
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 can be widespread. The incubation period is 1-6 months. The maximum virus content in the affected tissues is noted 6 months after infection. - Vulgar (simple) papillomas.
Their causative agent is the human papillomavirus (HPV). This shape is manifested by hard bumps with a rough surface 1 mm in diameter or more, with a tendency to merge. 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, practically unchanged, but a rapid spread of the process is also possible. There are isolated cases of papilloma degeneration into a tumor. Immunodeficiency states 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 bump, acquiring the characteristics of a typical papilloma, surrounded by a protruding rim. Sometimes, around one papilloma, numerous daughter formations appear, resembling bubbles - mosaic warts.
Plantar papillomas can be painful and make walking difficult. The duration of their existence is different. In some cases, especially in children, spontaneous disappearance of any number of papillomas is possible. This form of the disease is often confused with calluses that appear in places of pressure on the fingers or between the fingers. Corns, unlike papillomas, have a smooth surface with a skin pattern. - Flat papillomas.
Their causative agent is HPV-3 and HPV-10. They are represented by smooth bumps of 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 of the affected area, redness, soreness. - Filiform papillomas.
They are found in 50% of the population over 50 years old more often in the armpits, in the groin, on the neck, around the eyes. The process begins with the appearance of small yellowish or slightly colored cones, then enlarging and turning into elongated dense elastic formations up to 5-6 mm in size. In places of 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 American Indians. Observed on the mucous membranes of the mouth, tongue, lips in the form of small merging papillary eminences. - Genital warts.
The causative agents of genital warts are human papillomaviruses of 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, often go unnoticed. Infected cells are prone to malignant degeneration. In most cases, a long and widespread process accompanies immunodeficiency states.
Cervical cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women with genital warts. In most cases, despite the age of the patients, the viral genome is detected 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 birth canal of the mother. The appearance of characteristic growths on the vocal cords is observed, leading to speech difficulties and disturbances in air circulation in the upper respiratory tract.
Treatment of papillomas
The same symptoms can be signs of different diseases, and the disease may not proceed according to the textbook. Do not try to heal yourself - consult your doctor.
Currently, there is no unified international standard for the treatment of papillomas. The official treatment guidelines so far include
- cytostatics (antineoplastic drugs),
- cryo laser,
- electro destruction.
But they are not always effective and are accompanied by relapses.
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 observed.
- For flat forms - cryotherapy with immunity correction.
- For filiform - diathermocoagulation.
- For local epithelial hyperplasia, cryotherapy with immunity correction.
- For warty cutaneous dysplasia - cryotherapy or diathermocoagulation with subsequent correction of immunity.
- For genital warts - removal of warts with cryo therapy, laser excision or diathermocoagulation and mandatory correction of the immune system.
Treatment of genital papillomas can be difficult with other genital infections (chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, herpes, CMV infection, etc. ). In these cases, treatment is carried out in parallel.