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what are papillomas

A rather large part of neoplasms on human skin is caused by the activity of the human papillomavirus (HPV). At the same time, papillomas are one of the most common. The virus not only causes the appearance of this neoplasm, but also gives it a name. But not all patients today know what papilloma is. If you are one of those people or just want to know more about this neoplasm then this article is for you. In it we will talk about papillomas: what it is, what symptoms it presents, why it forms and how it is treated

laser papilloma removal

Papillomas: what is it

Papillomas are small neoplasms that have the same color as healthy skin or are slightly different from it. Neoplasms may appear singly or in multiple eruptions. Depending on the species, they can be flattened, pedunculated, in the form of elongated papillae. These neoplasms can be located almost anywhere: genitals, face, neck, armpits, limbs, etc.

It is also important to note that papillomas are benign neoplasms. That is, they do not belong to oncological tumors. However, doctors do not recommend leaving them as they are.

Usually, papillomas do not hurt, but in some cases they can itch, flake, cause mild tingling and/or redness. If the papilloma is located in the intimate area, it can cause discomfort when moving.

types of papillomas

The five most common types of papillomas are:

  1. Simple. It looks like a cockscomb or a cauliflower.
  2. Apartment. This neoplasm is a flat nodule located on the surface of the skin. It can also form on the cervix.
  3. Filiform. Most often located on thin skin and are elongated nodules. Usually found in people over 50 years of age.
  4. Pointed out. Or warts. Transmitted sexually and therefore most often formed in the genital area. They can appear one at a time or several at once. In this case, they can merge into one large papilloma. They also differ in that they are formed not only on the surface of the genitals, but can also grow inside the urethra or on the cervix.
papillomas on the head

Why does papilloma appear

As we wrote above, the main reason for the appearance of papilloma is the activity of the human papillomavirus. It is noteworthy that, according to the WHO, today about four out of five people (or even more) are infected with the papillomavirus. This happens for several reasons:

  1. The virus is very durable. Once infected, it is almost impossible to get rid of it.
  2. The virus is easily transmitted. Sometimes even using a toilet seat or towel is enough to get infected. And unprotected sex has an almost one hundred percent chance of infection.
  3. The virus is congenital. Often, the virus is transmitted from mother to newborn, so many people are born with already acquired papillomavirus.

In general, although our immunity does not destroy the virus, it can suppress it well. That is why neoplasms do not appear in all infected people. But if the immune system weakens, papilloma (or other neoplasms caused by HPV) may appear. There are other factors that can favor the formation of papilloma:

  1. Stress and emotional stress.
  2. Advanced age.
  3. Alcohol abuse, smoking.
  4. Excessive physical activity.
  5. Lack of vitamins in the body.
  6. some other diseases. For example, endocrine diseases.
  7. Taking certain medications (oral contraceptives, immunosuppressants).
  8. Promiscuous sex life.

After the virus enters the body, the external manifestations of papilloma do not appear immediately. What does it depend on? The state of immunity and the duration of the incubation period (from a few weeks to several years). Therefore, with a good state of immune protection, the first manifestations can appear even after a year. In this case, a person can become infected with several strains of HPV at once (there are about 170 of them).

papilloma treatment

Of course, not everyone knows what papillomas are and how to treat them. And some even believe that it is not necessary to treat them, since these neoplasms are benign. Doctors have a different opinion on this matter: papillomas must be treated, and it is desirable not to postpone treatment. So why should this benign neoplasm be treated? First of all, the papilloma can turn into a malignant neoplasm. Especially under the influence of certain factors. For example, due to intense ultraviolet radiation, injury, inflammation. Secondly, the neoplasm negatively affects female reproductive function. If the woman is not cured and becomes pregnant, the virus is more likely to be transmitted to the newborn. Thirdly, the papilloma located in the throat or trachea can make breathing difficult or even cause suffocation. Fourth, as already mentioned, the papillomavirus is easily transmitted, and therefore an untreated neoplasm can be very contagious. Fifth, neoplasms can cause aesthetic discomfort.

Types of papilloma treatment

Immediately it should be noted that you cannot resort to self-medication. Only a specialist with a medical education knows exactly how to diagnose papillomas, what they are and how they are treated. At the same time, it should be remembered that when removing any neoplasms, it is recommended to send the excised tissue for histological examination.

Speaking of treatment, today you can choose from several ways to eliminate the neoplasm.

  1. Surgical removal. The operation is performed under local anesthesia. The neoplasm is removed with a scalpel along with adjacent healthy tissue. Because of this, the healing process can take a long time. In addition, there is a high probability of scarring at the excision site. For these reasons, this procedure is currently performed very rarely. Especially in cases where other methods fail or when the neoplasm is very large.
  2. Cryodestruction. This is the name of the procedure for exposing tissues to ultra-low temperatures. Most often, the procedure is carried out using liquid nitrogen, the temperature of which is -196 ° C. As a result, the water in the cells at the site of exposure is frozen and the neoplasms die. The disadvantages include low efficiency (about 60%), since with insufficient freezing, the neoplasm will not receive enough damage. And with excess - healthy tissue will be damaged.
  3. Electrocoagulation. This is the name of the procedure for cauterizing neoplastic tissues with electric current. Of the minuses, they call the pain of the procedure and the likelihood of scarring of the skin at the site of exposure. But the efficiency is quite high: about 95%.
  4. Removal of neoplasm by laser. The essence of the procedure is the effect of a laser beam on tissue. As a result, the neoplasm is evaporated layer by layer. Adjustable power allows you to remove papilloma with almost 100% efficiency. And high accuracy allows you to exclude damage to healthy tissue. Today, laser removal is considered by many experts to be one of the most effective ways to eliminate papilloma. After the procedure, there is practically no scarring, no long recovery period is required and, as an application anesthetic is applied before the session, the procedure is quite comfortable for the patient.

In the clinic, laser removal of papillomas is carried out using modern devices. No preparation is required for laser removal. But you will need to make an appointment with a laser therapist. At the consultation, the doctor will tell you what papillomas are and how the session will go. The patient will also be checked for contraindications.

The procedure itself is quite fast: for single neoplasms, a couple of minutes are enough, for multiple ones - 15-20. After the procedure, the specialist will inform you about proper care. According to the general instructions, it is impossible to sunbathe, go to the bathhouse and sauna in the first two weeks. You will also need to take care of the treated area.

Do not forget about contraindications to the procedure. Laser removal of papillomas is not carried out in the presence of any diseases, lesions of the central nervous system and the presence of bleeding.