Papilloma is an injury to the skin and mucous membranes caused by the human papillomavirus.
Causing agents - Papilloma virus. Currently, more than 60 variants are known, 32 are recognized as causing disease.
Transmission routes - contact (through cutaneous microtrauma), genital, perinatal (at delivery).
Manifestations of papillomas
- Cutaneous papillomas (warts).
Most frequently seen on the hands, and less frequently on other parts of the body. Localized injuries are common in children and adolescents. In immunocompromised patients, wart lesions can be generalized. The incubation period is 1 to 6 months. The maximum virus content in the affected tissues is observed 6 months after infection. - Vulgar papillomas (simple).
Its causative agent is the human papillomavirus (HPV). This shape is manifested by hard protrusions with a rough surface of 1 mm in diameter or more, with a tendency to merge. Vulgar papillomas usually cover a large area. They can appear anywhere, but are most 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 tumor papilloma degeneration. 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 protuberance, acquiring the characteristics of a typical papilloma, surrounded by a protruding border. Sometimes, around a papilloma, there are several blister-like daughter formations - mosaic warts.
Plantar papillomas can be painful and make it difficult to walk. The duration of its existence is different. In some cases, especially in children, the 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.
Its causative agent is HPV-3 and HPV-10. They are represented by smooth lumps of normal skin color (light yellow or slightly colored). They can be round or polygonal. The appearance of flat papillomas, especially in children, is usually accompanied by itching, inflammation of the affected area, redness, pain. - Filiform papillomas.
They are found in 50% of the population over 50 years, most often in the armpits, groin, neck, around the eyes. The process begins with the appearance of small yellowish or slightly colored cones, which widen and become dense and elongated elastic formations up to 5-6 mm in size. In places of possible trauma, papillomas can become inflamed. Its spontaneous disappearance does not occur. - Local epithelial hyperplasia (Beck's disease).
The causative agents are human papillomavirus 13 and 32. The disease was first described in American Indians. Observed in the mucous membranes of the mouth, tongue, lips in the form of small mixed papillary eminences. - Genital warts.
The causative agents of genital warts are the low (6, 11), medium (31, 33, 35) and high (16, 18) human papillomavirus. Viruses are transmitted sexually. The incubation period lasts from several weeks to months. In some cases, injuries are minimal, often going 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 infected in the mother's birth canal. The appearance of characteristic growths in the vocal cords is observed, leading to difficulties in speech and air circulation in the upper respiratory tract.
Treatment of papillomas
The same symptoms can be signs of different illnesses, and the illness may not proceed according to the textbook. Don't try to heal yourself - see your doctor.
Currently, there is no unified international standard for the treatment of papillomas. Official treatment guidelines so far include
- cytostatics (antineoplastic drugs),
- I create laser,
- electro destruction.
But they are not always effective and are accompanied by relapses.
Other treatments for papillomas:
- For cutaneous and common papillomas (simple) - 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 verrucous skin dysplasia - cryotherapy or diathermocoagulation with subsequent correction of immunity.
- On genital warts - removal of warts with cryotherapy, 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.