Not everyone knows that squamous cell papilloma is the result of a viral disease. In addition to being an aesthetic problem, the disease can seriously damage health, including death. The tumor can "grow" on any part of the body and affects internal organs.
What is squamous cell papilloma and its structure
The answer to the question: "What is it? " It is a benign neoplasm. The main sites of localization include the face, neck, and mucous membranes. If the pathology is not treated for a long time, it can become malignant. Externally, papilloma is flat like a mole in the shape of a circle. Color can vary from flesh to deep brown. Call doctors squamous papilloma with hyperkeratosis the most common. It occurs mainly in the elderly, sometimes in individuals aged 30-35 years.
Causes and sources of infection
There are many ways to become infected with squamous cell papilloma of the skin, some of them are simple and do not cause any concern:
- sexual intercourse of any origin: vaginal, oral, anal;
- Daily contact (handshake). Fundamental here is the presence of open wounds;
- Visiting public places with high levels of humidity: swimming pool, sauna;
- Violation of personal hygiene standards.
This type of papillomas is diagnosed in people with a low level of immunity who have many casual sexual contacts.
The penetration of a virus into a healthy body does not mean that papillomas will appear in the near future. This only happens when immunity decreases. Main reasons:
- Presence of bad habits: alcoholism, smoking, illegal drugs, poor quality nutrition;
- Dysfunction of the digestive system;
- Skin diseases;
- Elderly age;
- Hereditary predisposition;
- Third party chemical exposure.
Esophageal papilloma appears almost immediately after failure. It forms on the tongue, lips, inside the mouth, in the esophagus, and intestines.
Why is it dangerous for people?
The main danger is that papilloma with hyperkeratosis will develop into cancer in more than 60% of cases. If the growth forms in the respiratory system, there is a risk of a gradual lack of oxygen, leading to death. When a growth appears in the intestines, it may fester due to exposure to feces. With squamous cell papilloma of the esophagus, there is a risk of inflammation and bleeding due to eating solid food or low-quality alcohol.
Symptoms and diagnosis
The symptoms of squamous cell papilloma formation are few and vague. First, the area where the growth is located is inspected. Most individuals mistake skin growths for warts and ignore them, hoping that they will disappear with time. The neoplasm develops and grows very slowly, and inflammation is rarely seen.
The foci of the manifestation appear mainly in the thinnest areas of the skin. This is the eyelid area, neck, chest. If the eyelid is affected, the conjunctiva can be damaged.
The neoplasm grows and develops gradually, its average size is from 0. 3 to 1. 5 centimeters. The color of the neoplasm is different and can change over time from flesh color to purple.
Picking, squeezing or cutting out a squamous cell papilloma is dangerous; infection can enter an open wound.
There are no special diagnostic measures to detect the presence of the virus. First, a therapist visually examines the tumor. After that, he writes referrals to other specialists: dermatologist, gynecologist. The appointment is made depending on the location of the papilloma. If it is located on the outer side of the skin, the diagnosis can be determined immediately. If the growth is inside the body, fluoroscopy is prescribed.
If the rectum is affected, the doctor palpates the neoplasm; the cervix is clearly visible using a gynecological glass.
There are a number of mandatory procedures:
- biopsy;
- Blood analysis;
- PCR examination.
If necessary, the treating physician may prescribe additional diagnostic methods.
Papillomas of the esophagus
The main sites for the formation of squamous cell papilloma of the esophagus are the tongue, lips and oral mucosa. The virus may be accompanied by the formation of small ulcers and itching.
With papillomas on the lips, the first thing that appears is swelling and discomfort when eating. If the affected area is damaged, blood appears. The growth can grow quickly and cause lip cancer.
With papilloma of the esophagus, the symptoms occur mainly in the male half of the population. The causes of the disease can be poor nutrition, poor food quality, and bad habits. The main location of the tumor in the esophagus is its middle. The size of each of them is from 1-2 millimeters to 3-4 centimeters, elongated in shape, on a stem. The patient notices pain in the stomach, belching, excessive salivation, and a lump in the throat. Diagnosis is made using radiography and esophagoscopy.
Signs of formations in the mouth and larynx
With squamous cell papilloma of the larynx, it hurts the patient to eat, swallow, and sometimes even breathe. Sometimes there are speech difficulties. The size of the growth is small, pedunculated. If a neoplasm is found in a child, treatment is not carried out immediately; it turns out that he goes away on his own. If you don't fight the disease in adulthood, it can degenerate into a malignant tumor.
The appearance of a squamous cell papilloma of the tongue does not manifest itself in any way at first. Flesh-colored white growths only occur if the patient has injured them in some way. After a few weeks, bad breath appears, itching, burning, and ulcers form.
Symptoms of the larynx in adults may vary, depending on the general condition of the body and the degree of development of the disease. There may be a sore throat, a lump in the nose, discomfort, congestion, itching. If the septum is enlarged, it gradually grows around the nostrils, interfering with the normal processes of oxygen entry and exit.
Signs of formations in personal places
With squamous cell papilloma of the cervix, there is a very high risk that the benign state of the neoplasm will turn into cancer. This process is often accompanied by erosion and genital warts.
At the initial stage, initial development, the virus has no symptoms. Gradually itching and burning appear in the affected area, and over time a constant state of discomfort appears. Discharge is possible. A papilloma is detected during a routine examination by a gynecologist, and a colposcopy may be prescribed. During pregnancy, a woman may experience a decrease in her level of immunity and, accordingly, the appearance of papillomas. In such cases, it is recommended to remove it immediately.
If we talk about the genitourinary system, the most problematic place for women is the rectum. There are no symptoms at the initial stage, then pain, itching, purulent discharge, and blood in the stool appear. The diagnosis can be made after a palpation procedure. In 90% of the cases when this type of neoplasm appears, doctors send you to do tests for syphilis.
Methods of treatment and removal
In most cases, patients seek treatment when symptoms are already severe. It is forbidden to prescribe treatment for yourself or to try to remove a papilloma. It is removed in several ways:
- Cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen;
- surgery;
- Eliminate high frequency current;
- laser removal;
- Work using a radio knife.
The esophageal papilloma requires further examination; accordingly, treatment may take longer.
After the procedure, the scar is practically invisible. But there is no 100% guarantee that the tumor will not appear again. Without proper prevention, the virus will reawaken and growth will appear. After treatment, the patient is prescribed a course of antiviral drugs, vitamins and immunomodulators. It is important to restore the level of general immunity as successfully as possible. Even if the virus remains in the body, it will be there, preventing the formation of papillomas. It is recommended to eliminate bad habits completely.
Treatment with folk remedies
Squamous cell papilloma, like all other types of growth, occurs mainly in elderly people. Surgical intervention is contraindicated for many of them. In such cases, the attending physician recommends turning to traditional medicine. The most recommended methods are:
- Freshly squeezed potato juice. Course - 2 months, take 100 ml, 2 times a day;
- Celandine juice. Course - 4 weeks, the affected area is lubricated with liquid several times a day;
- Fresh garlic. The cleaned slice is secured to the growth with an adhesive plaster for 2-3 hours.
Currant leaves, licorice root, nettle, lemongrass, plantains, garlic, beets, and carrots are actively used in the preparation of medicinal infusions. In addition to taking medicinal compounds internally, you can prepare salads and soups from medicinal plants and vegetables.
Prevention and prognosis
The main preventive methods are:
- Seek early medical help;
- Proper nutrition;
- Eliminate all bad habits.
Papilloma of the esophagus, bladder and cervix respond well to traditional natural medicine. Their treatment is also slightly different from the traditional one; it also takes longer.
After surgical removal, rehabilitation can proceed differently, and there may be complications. Basically, the forecasts are always favorable. The percentage of deaths is minimal. If the process of cancer cell formation has already started, the survival rate is 30-35%.
If you seek medical help in time, complete healing is 90% possible, and soft tissue damage is minimal. Cancerous tumors are also successfully removed, and the degenerative process can be stopped.