Papilloma is a lesion of the skin and mucous membranes caused by the human papillomavirus.
Causal agents: virus of the genus Papilloma virus. Currently, more than 60 variants of them are known, 32 are recognized as causing diseases.
Routes of transmission - contact (through skin microtrauma), genital, perinatal (at delivery).
Manifestations of papillomas
- Cutaneous papillomas (warts).
Most often seen on the hands, less often on other parts of the body. Localized lesions are common in children and adolescents. In immunosuppressed patients, wart lesions may be widespread. The incubation period is 1 to 6 months. The maximum virus content in affected tissues is observed 6 months after infection. - Vulgar papillomas (simple).
Its causative agent is the human papillomavirus (HPV). This shape is manifested by hard blows with a rough surface of 1 mm in diameter or more, with a tendency to fuse. Papillomas vulgaris often cover a large area. They can appear anywhere, but most often they are found on the back of the palms and fingers, in children - on the knees. A single papilloma can exist for several months or even years, virtually unchanged, but a rapid spread of the process is also possible. There are isolated cases of papilloma degeneration into a tumor. Immunodeficiency states contribute to the spread of the process. - Plantar papillomas.
The causative agent is HPV-1 (deep form), HPV-2 (mosaic warts) and HPV-4 (minor lesions). The process begins with the appearance of a small shiny bump, which takes on the characteristics of a typical papilloma, surrounded by a projecting rim. Sometimes around a papilloma, numerous daughter formations appear, resembling bubbles - mosaic warts.
Plantar papillomas can be painful and make walking difficult. The duration of its existence is different. In some cases, especially in children, spontaneous disappearance of any number of papillomas is possible. This form of the disease is often confused with calluses that appear in places of pressure on the fingers or between the fingers. Corns, unlike papillomas, have a smooth surface with a skin pattern. - Flat papillomas.
Its causative agent is HPV-3 and HPV-10. They are represented by smooth bumps the color of normal skin (light yellow or slightly colored). They can be round or polygonal in shape. The appearance of flat papillomas, mainly in children, is usually accompanied by itching, inflammation of the affected area, redness, pain. - Filiform papillomas.
They are found in 50% of the population over 50 years of age most often in the armpits, in the groin, on the neck, around the eyes. The process begins with the appearance of small yellowish or slightly colored cones, then they enlarge and become dense and elongated elastic formations up to 5-6 mm in size. In places of possible trauma, papillomas can become inflamed. There is no spontaneous disappearance. - Local epithelial hyperplasia (Beck's disease).
The causative agents are human papillomaviruses 13 and 32. The disease was first described in American Indians. Observed on the mucous membranes of the mouth, tongue, lips in the form of small fused papillary eminences. - Genital warts.
The causative agents of genital warts are low (6, 11), medium (31, 33, 35) and high (16, 18) cancer-risk human papillomaviruses. Viruses are transmitted sexually. The incubation period lasts from several weeks to months. In some cases, the injuries are minimal, often unnoticed. Infected cells are prone to malignant degeneration. In most cases, a long and extensive process accompanies the immunodeficiency states.
Cervical cancer is most often diagnosed in women with genital warts. In most cases, regardless of the age of the patients, the viral genome is detected by DNA hybridization. The causative agent is HPV-18. - Juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis.
The causative agents are HPV-6 and HPV-11. They are rarely registered. In most cases, papillomatosis is found in children under 5 years of age who are infected in the mother's birth canal. Characteristic growths are observed on the vocal cords, causing speech difficulties and impaired air circulation in the upper respiratory tract.
Treatment of papillomas
The same symptoms can be signs of different diseases and the disease may not proceed according to the textbook. Don't try to heal yourself, see your doctor.
Currently, there is no unified international standard for the treatment of papillomas. The official treatment guidelines so far include
- cytostatics (antineoplastic drugs),
- cryo laser,
- electrodestruction.
But they are not always effective and are accompanied by relapses.
Other treatments for papillomas:
- For cutaneous and vulgar papillomas (simple): surgical removal (cryodestruction, laser removal in combination with immunity correction).
- For planting - cryodestruction, laser and / or diathermocoagulation.
- Mosaic papillomas are the most difficult to treat. When they disappear, especially in children, signs of inflammation are observed.
- For flat shapes: cryotherapy with immunity correction.
- For filiform - diathermocoagulation.
- For local epithelial hyperplasia, cryotherapy with correction of immunity.
- In the case of warty skin dysplasia, cryotherapy or diathermocoagulation with subsequent correction of immunity.
- In genital warts: wart removal with cryotherapy, laser excision or diathermocoagulation and mandatory correction of the immune system.
Treatment of genital papillomas can be difficult with other genital infections (chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, herpes, CMV infection, etc. ). In these cases, the treatment is carried out in parallel.