Papillomas are bulging formations that appear on a person's skin and mucous membranes. They are not really a disease, but serve as an external manifestation of the body's infection with HPV - the human papillomavirus.
Papillomavirus occurs in many different types, some of which are dangerous because the property of neoplasms has a malignant transformation, that is, they can form malignant tumors.
The causes of the appearance of papillomas on the penis
Papillomas are benign formations on the skin or mucous membranes of a warty type.
The human papillomavirus virus is transmitted in a variety of ways, from the sick to the healthy. The main mode is sexual, with unprotected sexual intercourse. But you can "get" the virus in a domestic way, just by contacting a carrier, if there are defects of integrity in the body or mucous membranes, through blood and other fluids that are infected with the virus.
Many viruses that have entered the body are difficult to "eradicate" completely, but in about 90% of cases, independent medicine occurs, that is, the immune system itself "kills" the virus. In some cases, however, the disease takes on a recurrent form and may last for many years.
There is a particular danger of strains that have the potential to cause malignancy, that is, to transform a neoplasm into a malignant one.
HPV has a long incubation period, with strong immunity, can last from months to years.
But as soon as the immune system weakens, it immediately sets in. Its symptoms are formations on the body and mucous membranes, which may have a round, oval or rectangular shape and vary in size, from a few millimeters to a few centimeters.
The medicine is known for more than 600 strains of the virus, more than 40 of which can cause neoplasms in the genital and anal regions in men and women. They are caused by papillomas of the penis, referred to as genital warts.
Some papillomas are harmless to human health, others can cause an annoying cosmetic defect - warts, and still others threaten the body with the most dangerous disease - cancer. There is medical evidence between cervical cancer and breast cancer that develops with infection with certain types of HPV.
If a virus that can cause papillomas on the genitals enters the body, then sex is considered the main route of entry. Promiscuous relationships, bisexual and homosexual contacts are especially dangerous. But the virus may be congenital - the fetus becomes infected as it passes through the birth canal of an infected mother. There is also the risk of infection in skin lesions while visiting the pool, public toilet, bath, sauna, gym, while epilating, shaving.
Signs and symptoms of the disease
The symptoms depend on the location of the localization, the number and size of the papillomas.
More often, papillomas of the penis affect the head of the organ, "settle" along the foreskin, form colonies on the constriction, and may even pass through the urethra.
With strong proliferation of papillomas in the form of "cauliflower", during intercourse, urine can become inflamed, injured and even bleeding.
Because this is a viral disease, the activation period for the growth of papillomas is accompanied by a strong decrease in immunity. A person feels weak, lethargic, his or her body temperature may rise, and he / she often maintains to basal levels (37 - 37. 5 ° C). Since immunity is reduced, an infected person can catch a cold and "pick up" ARVI and ARI.
Phimosis can lead to the proliferation of papillomas - narrowing of the foreskin.
Because of this condition, special lubricants accumulate on the head of the penis - smegma. Its infection can lead to a dangerous disease, therefore, even if individual papillomas are found, it is urgent to consult a doctor. Individual neoplasms can be removed very quickly and almost painlessly, preventing their growth and high risk of degeneration into a malignant tumor.
Necessary tests and examinations
The physician determines the presence of papilloma visually, but other studies are needed to clarify the pressure and extent of risk to the patient. The patient donates blood for typing using PCR, a Digene screening test, and is screened for sexually transmitted diseases, because HPV is "bundled" with STDs in the vast majority of cases.
If papillomas are suspected to enter the urethra, urethroscopy is performed. The doctor may prescribe a biopsy if the growth is too large or if doctors suspect that the formation has started to worsen in a cancerous tumor.
Methods for the treatment and removal of papillomas
It is impossible to completely remove the human papillomavirus virus from the infected human body, sometimes it remains there until the end of the patient 's life. Medication to combat HPV involves the use of antiviral drugs and immunomodulators that stimulate one's own immune activity.
Essentially, doctors' actions are aimed at eliminating the external signs of the presence of a virus, that is, the papillomas themselves, warts and genital warts.
Complex treatment is performed only in the case of cancerous degeneration, including surgery and the use of chemotherapy to eliminate the threat of tumor spread.
In order to remove papillomas of the penis, the following treatment methods are used:
- Surgical removal.
- Electrocoagulation.
- Laser removal of formations (neodymium or carbon dioxide).
- Cryodestruction - destruction of a neoplasm using liquid nitrogen. Cross-construction can be applied or aerated.
- Cauterization with chemicals.
In most cases, the use of these methods is sufficient to remove the papilloma and prevent its recurrence.
The doctor selects the method of treatment depending on the extent of the damage, the type of neoplasm, the health status of the patient and his age.
There is a specialized vaccine used in women to prevent the most dangerous disease - squamous cell carcinoma, or cervical cancer. It has been proven to be one of the most dangerous forms of the human papillomavirus virus, since in the absence of HPV in the body, this type of cancer does not occur.
Unfortunately, today there is no vaccine that can prevent infection with other types of human papillomavirus virus, including those that stimulate the appearance of growths on personal male organs. The only effective way to protect yourself is to use condoms during sexual intercourse, as well as to observe personal hygiene and a cautious attitude towards possible infections in public places.
Prognosis and possible complications
Doctors have concluded that in 90% of all cases of HPV infection, if a person has strong immunity, the body responds independently to the virus within 24 months. But this observation only applies to certain types of the human papillomavirus virus, which are unable to stimulate the development of cancer.
The most dangerous complication should be considered malignancy, that is, transformation of papilloma into cancer. But only a fraction of HPV strains have such properties. The sad consequences can be prevented with early access to medical help and timely diagnostics.
In rare cases, after removal of the papilloma, neoplasms can form on and around the scar tissue, if the virus is actively multiplying in the patient's body due to impaired immunity. In such a case, it will be necessary to remove papillomas again and comprehensively strengthen the patient's immunity to prevent further growth of the formations.
In most cases, the prognosis is positive unless the disease is too advanced. But this rarely happens with genital warts, since their development causes great discomfort to the man, and he quickly turns to doctors.