Papillomas are protruding formations that appear on the skin and mucous membranes of a person. They are not actually a disease, but serve as an external manifestation of infection of the body with HPV - human papillomavirus.
Papillomavirus is present in many different strains, some of which are dangerous because neoplasms have the property of malignant transformation, ie they can turn into malignant tumors.
Causes of papillomas in the penis
Papillomas are benign formations of warts on the skin or mucous membranes.
Human papillomavirus is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person in several ways. The main method is sexual, unprotected sex. When there are defects in the body or mucous membranes, when you come in contact with a carrier through infected blood and other fluids, you can "trick" the virus at home.
It is very difficult to completely "destroy" a virus that has already entered the body, but in about 90% of cases, independent treatment occurs, ie the immune system itself "kills" the virus. However, in some cases, the disease becomes recurrent and can last for many years.
A special danger is associated with malignant tumors, ie the transformation of a neoplasm into a malignant one.
HPV has a long incubation period, strong immunity, and can last from one month to one year.
But it will be felt immediately after the weakening of the immune system. Symptoms of its presence are round, oval or oblong in shape on the body and mucous membranes, and formations of various sizes, from a few millimeters to several centimeters.
More than 600 strains of the virus are known in medicine, more than 40 of which can cause neoplasms in the genital and anal regions in men and women. They are the causes of papillomas in the penis, called genital warts.
Some papillomas are harmless to human health, others are an annoying cosmetic defect - capable of provoking warts, while others threaten the body with the most dangerous disease - cancer. There is medical evidence between cervical and breast cancer that develops with infection with certain HPV strains.
If a virus that can cause papilloma in the genitals enters the body, the main route of entry is sexual intercourse. Immoral relationships, bisexuality, and homosexuality are especially dangerous. However, the virus can be congenital - the fetus is transmitted through the birth canal of an infected mother. When visiting the pool, public toilets, baths, saunas, gyms, epilation, shaving, there is a risk of skin lesions.
Signs and symptoms of the disease
Symptoms depend on the location, number and size of papillomas.
Often, papillomas in the penis affect the head of the body, "located" along the foreskin, form colonies in the bridle, and can even penetrate the urethra.
With the strong spread of papillomas, it takes the form of "cauliflower", urine during sexual intercourse can hurt, injure and even bleed.
Because it is a viral disease, the period of activation of papilloma growth is accompanied by a strong decrease in immunity. A person feels weak, lethargic, body temperature may rise, often maintained at subfebrile levels (37 - 37, 5 ° C). As immunity is reduced, an infected person can easily catch a cold and "take" ARVI and ARI.
The proliferation of papillomas can cause phimosis - a narrowing of the foreskin.
Due to this condition, a special lubricant accumulates at the head of the penis - smegma. Its infection can lead to the development of a dangerous disease, so if a single papilloma is found, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately. Individual neoplasms can be removed very quickly and almost painlessly, preventing their growth and a high risk of developing a malignant tumor.
Necessary tests and exams
The presence of papilloma is determined visually by the physician, but other studies are needed to clarify the severity and degree of risk to the patient. The patient is given blood for recording using a PCR, Digene screening test, and is checked for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases, as in most cases HPV is "combined" with STIs.
If papillomas are suspected of penetrating the urethra, urethroscopy is performed. If the growth is too large or doctors suspect that the formation has begun to turn into a cancerous tumor, the doctor may order a biopsy.
Methods of treatment and removal of papillomas
Human papillomavirus cannot be completely removed from the body of an infected person, and sometimes remains in the patient for the rest of his life. HPV control drugs are the use of antiviral drugs and immunomodulators that stimulate the activity of the human immune system.
In general, the actions of doctors are aimed at eliminating the external signs of the presence of the virus, ie the papillomas themselves, warts and genital warts.
Only in the case of cancerous degeneration, a complex treatment involving the use of surgery and chemotherapy is applied to eliminate the risk of tumor spread.
The following treatments are used to remove penile papillomas:
- Surgical removal.
- Electrocoagulation.
- Laser extraction of formations (neodymium or carbon dioxide).
- Cryodestruction - the destruction of the neoplasm using liquid nitrogen. Cryodestruction can be applied or aerosolized.
- Catheterization with chemicals.
In most cases, the use of these methods is sufficient to remove the papilloma and prevent its recurrence.
The method of treatment is chosen by the doctor depending on the degree of damage, the type of neoplasm, the patient's health status and age.
Women have a special vaccine used to prevent the most dangerous disease - squamous cell carcinoma or cervical cancer. It has been proven to be caused by one of the most dangerous strains of human papillomavirus, because this type of cancer does not occur in the absence of HPV in the body.
Unfortunately, today there is no vaccine that can prevent infection with other types of human papillomavirus, including those that provoke the appearance of growths on intimate male organs. The only effective way to protect yourself is to still use condoms during sexual intercourse, as well as to observe personal hygiene and be careful about possible infections in public places.
Prognosis and possible complications
Doctors have found that in 90% of all cases of HPV infection, if a person has strong immunity, the body fights the virus independently for 24 months. However, this observation only applies to certain strains of human papillomavirus, which can not cause cancer.
The most dangerous complication should be considered malignancy, ie the transformation of papillomas into cancer. However, only a fraction of HPV strains have such characteristics. Tragic consequences can be prevented with timely medical care and timely diagnosis.
In rare cases, after the papilloma is removed, neoplasms may form in and around the scar tissue if the virus actively multiplies in the patient's body due to weakened immunity. In this case, re-removal of papillomas and comprehensive strengthening of the patient's immunity will be required to prevent further growth of formations.
In most cases, when the disease is not very advanced, the prognosis is positive. However, this rarely happens with genital warts, because their development is a serious concern for the man, and he quickly seeks medical attention.