There are a large number of diseases caused by the human papillomavirus virus. In addition, several types of these pathogens can cause similar pathologies. The papilloma virus on the penis usually affects the mucous membranes and skin in the male body, localizing on the external genitalia.
Papillomas are benign neoplasms, usually small in size, resembling cauliflower. This oncological process develops from flat epithelial cells. Tumors rise above the skin and can have flesh and some other colors (white, dark brown, etc. ). The causative agent of all oncological variants is the human papillomavirus.
HPV is a virus that contains DNA and has tropism for epithelial tissue, therefore it only affects the skin and mucous membranes of the human body. Pathogenic agents do not have shells, but are highly resistant to environmental conditions. HPV forms a large group of viruses, which are divided into:
- Types with minimal risk of violence;
- Types with average risk of violence (special conditions required);
- Types with a high risk of malignant transformation.
Papillomas on the glans penis are considered precancerous conditions, that is, they belong to the latter group of viruses. Therefore, at the first signs of the appearance of pathology, you should see a doctor and begin treatment. If the process of violence has already begun, then therapy becomes very difficult.
Reasons for appearance
For the appearance of papillomas on the penis in men, direct contact with the infected person is required. Microscopic or obvious damage to the skin is considered a very important predisposing factor. The main route of transmission of this disease is sexual. Moreover, not only papilloma patients with a clear clinical picture are infected, but also carriers of the latent virus. During traditional sexual intercourse, the head of the penis is affected, during oral -genital intercourse - the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx, during anal - the anus and rectum.
If a man has HPV elsewhere, then during shaving and other manipulations related to the injury, a papilloma may appear on the skin of the penis. Household pathways of infection may also occur, which are associated with high resistance of the virus to environmental conditions. Baths and saunas are very dangerous.
Predisposing factors for the manifestation of this disease:
- Decreased endurance;
- Prolonged stress;
- The presence of chronic diseases;
- Excessive ultraviolet radiation;
- Taking certain medications.
Clinical picture
The incubation period for papillomas on the skin of the penis is around 8-12 weeks, but can vary significantly, as the clinical picture depends on the level of protection of the body.
Although HPV most often causes dangerous pathologies that do not cause difficulty to the patient, the type of virus that causes the appearance of papillomas in the penile area is highly oncogenic. That is, the appearance of a neoplasm can be considered the first stage of the cancer process.
Papillomas on the penis look like small, single or multiple flesh -colored neoplasms, not accompanied by subjective symptoms. Sometimes they can resemble cauliflower, sometimes they swell on the stalk. If there is no adequate treatment, the disease develops, and the following stages are distinguished in it:
- Phimosis (narrowing of the foreskin pieces, which makes it impossible to remove the glans penis);
- Accumulation of smegma and, as a consequence, the development of infectious processes (due to narrowing, it is difficult to clean the space between the head and the leaves of the foreskin);
- Inflammation of the head of the penis and both pieces of the foreskin (local signs are expressed in the form of edema, redness, purulent discharge);
- Erosive defects of the head of the penis and foreskin (this condition is defined as the first stage of cancer).
Treatment of papillomas on the penis should be immediate and radical to avoid dangerous complications that can lead to disruption of life and even death.
Diagnostics
Removal of a papilloma on the penis can be planned only after a final diagnosis has been made. The main diagnostic measures for this disease:
- Evaluation of complaints, medical history and clinical picture. The presence of unprotected sexual intercourse was clarified, the affected area was examined for the presence of flesh -colored growths resembling cauliflower. It is also possible to detect such formations on the mucous membranes of the mouth, around the anus and on other external genitalia, except on the penis.
- Polymerase chain reaction. This technique is difficult to implement, but more than 95% effective, which is why it is considered the gold standard. With the help of PCR, it is possible to detect viral DNA in the human body, as well as to determine its type accurately.
- Cytological studies. Using different techniques, antibodies against HPV are detected, which makes it possible to assess the presence of infection.
Treatment of penile papilloma is done immediately after accurate determination of the type of HPV and the stage of disease progression.
How to get rid of papilloma on the penis?
There is no effective type of conservative treatment for this infection. The only action that may be taken is radical removal of the papilloma on the penis. Various techniques are used for therapy:
- Laser removal;
- Cryosurgery;
- Radio wave method (the most optimal choice, without cosmetic defects, painless);
- Open surgery;
- Cauterization (chemical agents used).
Medication can be used in addition to radical therapy. Basically, preference is given to cytostatic drugs. In addition, antiviral medications are prescribed to reduce the risk of relapse.
During the treatment period, sexual intercourse should be avoided to prevent the spread of infection. It is also recommended that all patients ’sexual partners be tested for the presence of HPV.
Prophylaxis
Preventive measures primarily include the introduction of a protected sex life with a proven partner. You should be very careful when visiting public baths and saunas, as well as avoid contact with one's neoplasm, especially if there is a microtraum.
To avoid complications, you need to see a doctor on time and follow all his promises and recommendations.
Curing the symptoms of the disease, unfortunately, does not guarantee the patient's complete recovery (that is, if the papilloma on the penis is removed, it still will not work to remove the virus from the body), so a man should carefully monitor his condition, notice the slightest change and refer todoctor. HPV carriers must maintain a high level of immunity so that clinical manifestations (relapses) do not recur.