The human papillomavirus virus can cause a large number of diseases. In addition, the same pathology can cause different types of this pathogen. The papilloma virus of the penis usually affects the mucous membranes and skin of the male body, localizing the external genitalia.
Papilloma is a benign neoplasm, usually small in size, similar to cauliflower. This oncological process develops from epithelial flat cells. The tumor rises above the skin and may be flesh-colored and some other (white, dark brown, and so on). The human papillomavirus is the causative agent of all oncological variants.
HPV is a DNA virus that has a trophy of epithelial tissues, so it only affects the skin and mucous membranes of the human body. The pathogenic agent does not have a shell, but is highly resistant to environmental conditions. HPV is a huge group of viruses, subdivided into:
- Varieties with the least risk of malignancy;
- Varieties with an average risk of malignancy (special conditions required);
- The type with a high risk of malignant transformation.
Papillomas on the glans penis are considered a precancerous condition, that is, they belong to the latter group of viruses. Therefore, at the first signs of the appearance of pathology, you should consult a doctor and begin treatment. If the malignancy process has already begun, then therapy becomes very difficult.
Reasons for the appearance
For the appearance of papilloma of the penis in men, it is necessary to make direct contact with an infected person. Microscopic damage or obvious damage to the skin is considered to be a very important predictable factor. The main way to transmit the disease is sexual. Moreover, not only are people with papillomas with a clear clinical picture infected, but also latent carriers of the virus. During conventional sex, the head of the penis is affected, during oral-genital contacts - the mucous membrane of the mouth and pharynx, during anal - the anus and rectum.
If a man has HPV elsewhere, then during shaving and other manipulations related to injuries, papillomas may appear on the skin of the penis. The route of infection of the family can also be removed, which is associated with the high resistance of the virus in environmental conditions. Baths and saunas are especially dangerous.
Predictable factors in the manifestation of the disease:
- Decrease in the body's immune forces;
- Long stress;
- Presence of chronic diseases;
- Excessive ultraviolet radiation;
- Taking certain medications.
Clinical picture
The incubation period for papilloma on the skin of the penis is about 8-12 weeks, but it can vary greatly, since the clinical picture depends primarily on the degree of protection of the body.
Despite the fact that HPV is the most common cause of benign pathologies that do not cause inconvenience to patients, the types of viruses that cause the appearance of papillomas in the penile region are highly oncogenic. That is, the appearance of neoplasms can be considered as the first stage of the cancer process.
Papillomas of the penis look like small flesh-colored neoplasms, single or multiple, with no subjective symptoms. Sometimes they can look like cauliflower, sometimes they swell on the stem. In the absence of adequate treatment, the disease progresses, distinguishing between the following stages:
- Phimosis (narrowing of the sheets of the foreskin, making it impossible to remove the glans penis);
- Accumulation of smegma and, as a result, the development of the infectious process (due to the narrowing, it is difficult to clean the space between the head and the leaves of the foreskin);
- Inflammation of the head of the penis and two leaflets of the foreskin (local symptoms are expressed in the form of edema, redness, purulent discharge);
- Corrosive lesions on the head of the penis and skin (this condition is defined as the first stage of cancer).
Papillomas of the penis should be treated immediately and radically in order to avoid dangerous complications that can significantly disrupt life and even death.
Diagnostics
Papillomas of the penis can only be eliminated after the diagnosis has finally been established. The main diagnostic measures for this disease:
- Evaluation of complaints, medical history and clinical picture. The presence of unprotected sexual intercourse is clarified, the affected area is examined for cauliflower-like flesh-colored growths. Such formations can also be detected on the mucous membranes of the mouth, around the anus and on other external genitalia, other than the penis.
- Polymerase chain reaction. This technique is difficult to implement, but more than 95% effective, which is why it is considered the gold standard. With the help of PCR, the DNA of the virus in the human body can be detected, as well as its type accurately determined.
- Cytological study. Using a variety of techniques, antibodies to HPV are detected, making it possible to diagnose an infection.
Papillomas of the penis are treated immediately after precisely determining the type of HPV and the stage of development of the disease.
How to get rid of papillomas on the penis?
There are no effective forms of conservative treatment for this infection. The only action that can be removed is to radically remove papillomas on the penis. Different techniques are used for therapy:
- Laser removal;
- Cryosurgery;
- Radio wave mode (the best possible choice, leaving no cosmetic defects, no pain);
- Open surgery;
- Cauterization (chemical agents are used).
Medications can be used in combination with radical therapy. Basically, cytostatic drugs are given priority. In addition, antiviral medications are prescribed to reduce the risk of relapse.
During the treatment period, sexual intercourse should be avoided to prevent the spread of the infection. It is also recommended to test all of the patient's sexual partners for the presence of HPV.
Prophylaxis
Preventive measures are primarily the introduction of a protected sex life with one proven partner. You should be very careful when visiting public baths and saunas, as well as avoid contact with any human neoplasms, especially in the presence of microtraumas.
To prevent the development of complications, you need to consult a doctor in a timely manner and follow all his appointments and recommendations.
Unfortunately, medicine does not guarantee the symptoms of the disease complete recovery of the patient (that is, if the papilloma is removed from the penis, it will still not work to remove the virus from the body), so a man should be carefulmonitor his condition, noting the slightest changes and referring to a doctor. The HPV carrier must maintain a high level of immunity so that clinical (relapse) manifestations do not recur.