Not everyone knows that squamous cell papilloma is the result of a viral disease. In addition to being an aesthetic problem, the disease can cause serious damage to health, including death. A tumor can "grow" anywhere in the body and affect internal organs.
What is squamous cell papilloma and its structure
The answer to the question "What is it? " is a benign neoplasm. The main localization sites include the face, neck and mucous membranes. If the pathology is not treated for a long time, it can become malignant. Externally, a flat papilloma looks like a mole in the form of a circle. The color can vary from flesh to dark brown. Doctors call hyperkeratosis squamous papillomas the most common. It is found mainly in elderly people, sometimes in 30-35-year-old individuals.
Causes and sources of infection
There are many ways to get 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). The main thing here is the presence of open wounds;
- Visiting public places with a high level 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 a lot of casual sex.
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 is reduced. Main reasons:
- Having bad habits: alcoholism, smoking, illegal drugs, poor nutrition;
- malfunction of the digestive system;
- Skin diseases;
- Old age;
- Hereditary tendency;
- Third party chemical effects.
Esophageal papilloma appears immediately after failure. It is formed in the tongue, lips, mouth, esophagus and intestines.
Why is it dangerous for humans?
The main danger is that hyperkeratotic papillomas turn into cancer in more than 60%. If growth occurs in the respiratory system, there is a risk of gradual oxygen deprivation leading to death. When a growth occurs in the intestines, it can 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
Symptoms of the formation of squamous cell papilloma are few and vague. First, the area with growth is checked. Most people treat skin growths as warts and ignore them, hoping that they will disappear over time. The neoplasm develops and grows very slowly, and inflammation appears very rarely.
The foci of manifestation first appear in the thinnest areas of the skin. This is the eyelid area, neck, chest. If the eyelid is affected, the conjunctiva may be damaged.
The neoplasm gradually grows and develops, its average size is between 0. 3 and 1. 5 centimeters. The color of the neoplasm is different and can change over time from flesh color to purple.
Picking, squeezing or cutting squamous cell papilloma is dangerous, infection can enter the open wound.
There are no special diagnostic measures to detect the presence of the virus. First, a visual examination of the tumor is performed by a therapist. Later, 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 outside of the skin, the diagnosis can be determined immediately. If the growth is inside the body, fluoroscopy is prescribed.
If it affects the rectum, the doctor palpates the neoplasm, the cervix is clearly visible using a gynecological glass.
There are a number of mandatory procedures:
- biopsy;
- Blood test;
- PCR examination.
If necessary, the attending 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 can be accompanied by the formation of small ulcers and itching.
The first thing that appears with papillomas on the lips is swelling and discomfort when eating. If the affected area is injured, blood appears. The growth can grow rapidly and lead to lip cancer.
With papilloma of the esophagus, symptoms occur mainly in the male half of the population. The causes of the disease can be poor nutrition, poor quality food, bad habits. The main location of the tumor in the esophagus is its middle part. The size of each of them is from 1-2 millimeters to 3-4 centimeters, in an elongated shape, on a stalk. The patient notes pain in the stomach, belching, excessive salivation and a lump in the throat. Diagnosis is made using X-ray and esophagoscopy.
Signs of formation in the mouth and larynx
With squamous cell papilloma of the larynx, it hurts the patient to eat, swallow and sometimes even breathe. Sometimes it is difficult to speak. The size of the growth is small, pedunculated. If a neoplasm is detected in a child, treatment is not started immediately, it goes away by itself. If you do not fight the disease in adulthood, it can turn into a malignant tumor.
The appearance of squamous cell papilloma of the tongue does not manifest itself in any way at first. White, flesh-colored growths begin to show only when the patient injures them in some way. After a few weeks, bad breath appears, itching, burning and ulcers appear.
Symptoms in the larynx in adults can be different depending on the general condition of the body and the degree of development of the disease. There may be a sore throat, a swelling in the nose, discomfort, congestion, itching. If a growth has occurred in the septum, it gradually grows along the nasal sinuses, disrupting the normal processes of oxygen entry and exit.
Symptoms of formations in intimate places
With squamous cell papilloma of the cervix, the risk of the benign state of the neoplasm turning into cancer is very high. Often this process is accompanied by erosion and genital warts.
In the initial, initial stage of development, the virus has no symptoms. Itching and burning gradually appear in the affected area, and over time, a constant state of discomfort appears. Discharge is possible. Papilloma is detected by a gynecologist during a regular examination and a colposcopy can be prescribed. During pregnancy, a woman may experience a decrease in the level of immunity and, accordingly, the appearance of papillomas. In such cases, immediate removal is recommended.
If we talk about the genitourinary system, the most problematic place for women is the rectum. In the initial stage, there are no symptoms, then pain, itching, purulent discharge, blood in the stool appear. The diagnosis can be made after the palpation procedure. In 90% of cases where this type of neoplasm appears, doctors send you to conduct tests for syphilis.
Methods of treatment and elimination
In most cases, patients seek treatment when symptoms are already severe. It is forbidden to prescribe treatment for yourself or try to remove papilloma. Extraction is carried out in several ways:
- cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen;
- Surgery;
- High-frequency current extraction;
- laser removal;
- Operation with a radio knife.
Esophageal papilloma requires further examination, so treatment may take longer.
After the removal 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 growths will appear. After treatment, the patient is prescribed a course of antiviral drugs, vitamins and immunomodulators. It is important to restore the general level of immunity as successfully as possible. Even if the virus remains in the body, it will contain it, preventing the formation of papillomas. It is recommended to completely eliminate bad habits.
Treatment with folk remedies
Squamous cell papilloma, like all other types of growth, occurs mainly in older people. For many of them, surgical intervention is contraindicated. In such cases, the attending physician advises to turn to traditional medicine. The most recommended tools 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 attached to the growth with adhesive plaster for 2-3 hours.
Currant leaves, licorice root, nettle, lemongrass, plantain, garlic, beet, carrot are actively used in the preparation of medicinal infusions. In addition to taking medicinal compounds internally, you can prepare salads and soups from herbs and vegetables.
Prevention and prognosis
The main preventive methods are:
- seek early medical care;
- Proper nutrition;
- Eliminating all bad habits.
Esophagus, bladder and cervix papillomas respond well to natural traditional medicine. Their treatment is also slightly different from traditional treatment, and also takes longer.
After the removal operation, rehabilitation may proceed differently and complications may occur. In principle, predictions are always favorable. Mortality rate is minimal. If the process of formation of cancer cells has already started, the survival rate is 30-35%.
If you consult a doctor in time, complete treatment is 90% possible and damage to soft tissues is minimal. Cancerous tumors are also successfully removed and the degeneration process can be stopped.