Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes enlargement of the skin epithelium, anogenital mucosa, and upper respiratory tract. Less often it affects the internal organs - esophagus, bronchi, rectum, bladder. As a result of the activity of the virus, various forms of neoplasms are formed. Some of them are very benign in nature, and some are at risk of cancer. In what cases does papilloma require special attention and removal? The article will inform about it.
The route of infection
Infection occurs after contact with a virus carrier, as well as a sick person or animal. It should be noted that an infected person may be completely deprived of the clinical manifestations of papillomatosis. Sometimes she doesn't even know she is infected. Penetration of the virus into the human body occurs by micro-damages of the skin or mucous membranes. A single viral particle is sufficient for the development of an infectious process. The virus is able to maintain its viability in the environment. Therefore, self-infection is possible during hygiene procedures and in daily life (shaving, epilation, skin scans, self-injections). Baths, swimming pools, gyms, etc. is considered the main social condition for the transmission of infection. Mass diseases were registered among schoolchildren. A newborn baby can become a carrier of human papillomavirus infection as it passes through the mother's birth canal.
Types of HPV
To date, scientists have identified about 180 types of HPV, 29 of which are considered oncogenic. Depending on the oncogenic potential, they are divided into viruses:
- low oncoactivity rate (type 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70, 72, 81),
- average degree of oncoactivity (types 26, 31, 33, 35, 51, 52, 53, 58, 66)
- high oncoactivity (16, 18, 39, 45, 56, 59, 68. 73, 82).
According to the latest data, this or that strain of human papillomavirus can be found in the blood of about 80% of the world's population. However, this does not mean that all infected people have papillomatosis. What factors contribute to the development of the disease?
Immunity and papilloma
Why does the virus disappear from the body of some people, remain ineffective for a lifetime, and cause papillomas in others? HPV is an infection that can stifle the immune system. Healthy people and virus carriers have a strong immune system that suppresses the growth of foreign agents. The special role of cell immunity has been confirmed. It blocks the resistance 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 regression of lesions. Spontaneous regression of papillomatosis occurs within six months. However, not everyone's body's defenses are at such a high level, and then latent HPV infection becomes manifest. Papilloma is formed under the influence of the following factors:
- perverted sex life, frequent change of partners;
- contact with a partner with a history of genital papillomatosis;
- presence of sexually transmitted infections;
- vitamin deficiency, atopic dermatitis, pregnancy, immune deficiency conditions during AIDS;
- frequent colds and SARS;
- hormonal contraception;
- autoimmune diseases;
- smoking and alcohol.
Damaged or inflamed skin becomes a powerful stimulant, ceasing to perform its 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. Respiratory papilloma can occur in any area - from the nasopharynx to the lung parenchyma. However, it most often attacks the mucous membrane of the larynx. The severity of the disease is determined by the presence of growths in the narrowest area that contributes to the respiratory barrier to asphyxia. In adults, it is considered a compulsory precancerous lesion due to a high degree of malignancy (malignancy). The main symptom of the disease is usually the suffocation of the voice, which then turns into a loss of sonority of the voice. The patient can speak in a whisper. The manifestation of respiratory papillomatosis in the first stage is sometimes mistaken for acute laryngitis. Therefore, it is impossible to prescribe treatment without endoscopic examination. Various physiotherapy procedures in the laryngeal area cause rapid growth of papillomas.
Baby warts
Warts are benign epidermal growths found mainly in children and adolescents. It develops on the face, hands, neck, and often causes many emotional problems to its owners. However, more than 70% of these papillomas disappear without a trace within 1, 5 - 2 years. Therefore, doctors resort to their elimination only in extreme cases, because with the end of hormonal changes, it is quite possible that the body will fight HPV infection alone. Additional risk factors in childhood include frequent stress related to education and exams, overwork, lack of sleep, malnutrition, sensitive skin in infants, and acne in adolescents.
Is it necessary to remove papillomas on the skin?
Some neoplasms become malignant. If a person is careful with himself, this process should not be overlooked. When one of the symptoms is detected, an alarm should be sounded:
- changes in the size and configuration of the papilloma (grows rapidly, the edges become blurred, additional growths and seals appear);
- the color of the neoplasm changes to darkening;
- the inflammatory process is combined, the skin flakes, cracks, exudate leaks;
- pain appears.
All of the above are signs to eliminate growths. If the papilloma is located in areas accessible to daily injuries (neck, armpits, lumbar region, etc. ), it is worth resorting to a radical method to solve the problem. Regular grazing and rubbing can start the oncological process, but also contribute to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.
Methods of removing neoplasms
Destructive treatment of skin growth is divided into:
- chemical (80-90% trichloroacetic acid and other drugs);
- physical (plasma coagulation, cryodestruction, laser therapy, electrosurgery).
Only laser therapy is used if it is expected to be removed in adolescents or pregnant women. The use of local antivirals and immunomodulators is indicated after destruction.
However, the main method of removing laryngeal papillomas is endolaringeal surgery under anesthesia using microalgae or surgical lasers, after which only one-third of patients experience stable remission. In practice, a combined approach is used: additional cryodestruction is performed (with the local form of the disease), local antitumor drugs are prescribed. The most common is inhalation with a special solution.