The human papilloma virus (HPV) causes the epithelium of the skin, the mucous membrane of the anogenital region and the upper respiratory tract to grow. Less often affects the internal organs - the esophagus, bronchi, rectum, bladder. As a result of the activity of the virus, various forms of neoplasms are formed. Some are relatively benign, and some are at risk of cancerous tumors. In what cases do you need special attention and removal of papilloma? The article will tell about it.
Route of infection
Infection occurs after contact with a virus carrier, as well as a sick person or animal. It is worth noting that an infected person may have a lack of clinical manifestations of papillomatosis. Sometimes he does not even know about his infection. The penetration of the virus into the human body occurs through the microelements of the skin or mucous membranes. To develop an infectious process, individual viral particles are sufficient. The virus is able to maintain its viability in the environment. This is why self-infection is also possible during hygienic procedures and in daily life (shaving, epilation, combing the skin, self-injections). Baths, swimming pools, gymnasium, etc. are considered. on the main causes of public breeding for the transmission of infection. Mass diseases have been recorded in school children. Newborns can be a carrier of human papillomavirus infection as it passes through the maternal birth canal.
Types of HPV
Scientists have currently identified about 180 HPV strains, including an estimated 29 oncogenic strains. Depending on the oncogenic potential, they are divided into viruses:
- low level of co-occurrence (types 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70, 72, 81),
- average degree of onco-activity (types 26, 31, 33, 35, 51, 52, 53, 58, 66)
- high level of oncogenesis (16, 18, 39, 45, 56, 59, 68. 73, 82).
According to the latest data, one strain or another strain of the human papilloma virus can be found in the blood of about 80% of the world's population. However, this does not mean that everyone who is infected has papillomatosis. What factors drive the development of the disease?
Immunity and papilloma
Why does the virus disappear from the body of some people without a trace, in others it stays for the rest of its life without consequences, and in other cases papillomas are formed as a result? HPV is an infection that can suppress the immune system. In healthy people and virus carriers, a strong immune system is observed that suppresses the proliferation of foreign agents. The special role of cellular immunity has been confirmed. It blocks the viability of the virus at its level (the ability to remain active for a long time outside the acute phase), and in some cases contributes to the reversal of lesions. Spontaneous regression of papillomatosis occurs within six months. However, not everyone's body protection is at such a high level, and then the latent HPV infection turns into an open (expressive) form. Papilloma is formed under the influence of factors such as:
- promiscuous sex life, often changing partners;
- contact with a partner with a history of genital papillomatosis;
- presence of concomitant sexually transmitted infections;
- vitamin deficiency states, vitamin deficiency, atopic dermatitis, pregnancy, AIDS;
- frequent colds and SARS;
- hormonal contraception;
- autoimmune diseases;
- smoking and alcohol.
The skin, which is damaged or prone to inflammation, becomes a powerful stimulant factor, ceasing protective function. Therefore, people with inflammatory skin diseases (acne, rashes), eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis are at risk.
Respiratory papillomatosis
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is the most common benign tumor of the larynx. In the respiratory tract, papilloma occurs in any area - from the nasopharynx to the lung parenchyma. But it often attacks the mucous membrane of the larynx. The severity of the disease is determined by the presence of growth in the narrowest area, which contributes to respiratory obstruction, up to asphyxia. In adults, it is viewed as a mandatory prognosis due to a high degree of malignancy (degeneration into a malignant tumor). The main symptom of the disease is usually hoarseness, which then develops into a loss of sonority of the voice. The patient is still able to speak with a whisper. At the first stage, the manifestation of respiratory papillomatosis is sometimes mistaken for acute laryngitis. Therefore, it is impossible to prescribe treatment without endoscopic examination. Rapid growth of papilloma leads to various physiotherapeutic procedures on the laryngeal area.
Baby warts
Warts are benign epidermal growths that are primarily encountered by children and adolescents. They develop on the face, hands, neck, and often cause many emotional problems for their owners. However, more than 70% of these types of papillomas disappear without a trace within 1. 5 - 2 years. Therefore, doctors only resort to removing them in severe cases, because when hormonal changes stop, the body can treat the HPV infection on its own. Additional risk factors in childhood are frequent stress of studying and passing exams, overwork, lack of sleep, malnutrition, smooth skin in children, acne in teens.
Is it necessary to remove papillomas on the skin
Some neoplasms regenerate into malignant ones. This process cannot be ignored if one is careful of yourself. The alarm must be sounded if one of the symptoms is detected:
- papilloma changes in size and configuration (grows rapidly, the edges are blurred, extra growth and seal form);
- the color of the neoplasm changes toward darkness;
- connects the inflammatory process, skin flakes, cracks, oozes exudate;
- visible pain.
All of the above are indicators for growth. It is also worth resorting to a radical method of problem solving if the papilloma is located in places that are accessible for daily injury (on the neck, in the armpits, in the waist area, etc. ). Continuous grazing and friction can initiate the oncological process, as well as contribute to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.
Methods for removal of neoplasms
Destructive methods to treat skin growth are divided into:
- chemical (80-90% trichloroacetic acid and other drugs);
- physical (plasma coagulation, cryodestruction, laser therapy, electrosurgery).
If transplantation is expected in adolescents or pregnant women, then only laser therapy is used. After destruction, the use of local antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs is indicated.
But the main method for eliminating laryngeal papillomas is endolaryngeal surgery under anesthesia using micro-instruments or surgical lasers, after which stable remission is recorded only in one-third of patients. In practice, a combined approach is used: additional cryodestruction is performed (with a local form of the disease), local antitumor drugs are prescribed. The most common is inhalation with a special solution.