Papillomas are bulging formations that appear on a person’s skin and mucous membranes. They are actually not a disease, but only serve as an external manifestation of infection of the body with HPV - human papillomavirus.
Papillomaviruses exist in many different strains, some of which are dangerous because the neoplasm has the nature of malignant transformation, that is, it can turn into a malignant tumor.
Causes of the appearance of papillomas on the penis
Papillomas are benign formations on the skin or mucous membranes that are warty.
Human papillomavirus is spread in a number of ways, from sick people to healthy ones. The main method is sexual, with unprotected intercourse. But you can "get" the virus in a home way, when in contact with a carrier, if there is a defect of integrity on the body or mucous membranes, through blood and other fluids infected with the virus.
It is quite difficult to completely "destroy" the virus that has entered the body, but in about 90% of cases, an independent cure occurs, that is, the immune system itself "kills" the virus. However, in some cases, the disease takes on a recurrent nature and can last for years.
Certain dangers are posed by strains with the capacity for malignancy, that is, to the transformation of neoplasms into malignant.
HPV has a long incubation period, with strong immunity, it can last from a month to a year.
But when the immune system becomes weak, it will immediately feel on its own. Symptoms of its presence are the formation on the body and mucous membranes, which can have a round, oval or oval shape and various sizes, from a few millimeters to a few centimeters.
More than 600 types of viruses are known medically, of which more than 40 are capable of causing neoplasms in the genital and anal areas in men and women. They are what cause papillomas on the penis, referred to as genital warts.
Some papillomas are harmless to human health, others are capable of triggering annoying cosmetic defects - warts, and others threaten the body with the most dangerous disease - cancer. There is medical evidence that cervical and breast cancer develops with infection with certain HPV strains.
If a virus that can cause papilloma on the genitals enters the body, then the main route of its entry is considered sexual. Prank, bisexual and homosexual relationships are very dangerous. But the virus may be congenital - the fetus becomes infected when it passes through the birth canal of an infected mother. There is also a risk of infection on skin lesions when visiting swimming pools, public toilets, baths, saunas, gyms, during epilation, shaving.
Signs and symptoms of the disease
Symptoms depend on the site of localization, the number and size of the papilloma.
Often, papillomas on the penis affect the head of the organ, "settle" along the foreskin, form colonies on the bridle, and possibly penetrate the urethra.
With strong papilloma proliferation in the form of "cauliflower", during intercourse, urine can be injured, sore and even bleeding.
Since this is a viral disease, the period of activation of papilloma growth is accompanied by a strong decrease in immunity. A person feels weak, lethargic, his body temperature may rise, most often clinging to subfebrile levels (37 - 37. 5 ° C). As immunity is reduced, an infected person can easily catch a cold and "take" ARVI and ARI.
Reproduction of papilloma can cause phimosis - narrowing of the foreskin.
Because of this condition, a special lubricant accumulates on the head of the penis - smegma. Its infection can lead to the development of dangerous diseases, therefore, if a single papilloma is found, an urgent need to consult a doctor. Individual neoplasms can be removed quickly and almost painlessly, inhibit their growth and are at high risk of degenerating into malignant tumors.
Tests and examinations required
The presence of a papilloma is determined by the physician visually, but other studies are needed to clarify the strain and its level of risk for the patient. Patients donate blood for typing using PCR, Digene screening tests, and are checked for the presence of venereal disease, because in most cases HPV is "combined" with an STD.
If there is a suspicion of papilloma penetration into the urethra, urethroscopy is performed. The doctor may prescribe a biopsy if the growth is too large or if the doctor suspects that the formation has begun to degenerate into a cancerous tumor.
Methods for the treatment and removal of papillomas
It is not possible to completely remove the human papillomavirus from the body of an infected person, sometimes it remains in it until the end of the patient’s life. The drug to fight HPV is the use of antiviral drugs and immunomodulators that stimulate a person’s own immune activity.
Basically, the doctor's action is aimed at eliminating the external signs of the presence of the virus, that is, the papilloma itself, warts and genital warts.
Only in the case of cancer degeneration, complex treatments are used, including surgery and the use of chemotherapy to eliminate the threat of tumor spread.
To remove papilloma on the penis, the following treatment methods are used:
- Surgical removal.
- Electrocoagulation.
- Removal of formations with a laser (neodymium or carbon dioxide).
- Cryodestruction - the destruction of neoplasms using liquid nitrogen. Cryodestruction can be used or aerosol.
- Cauterization with chemicals.
In most cases, the use of this method is sufficient to remove the papilloma and prevent its recurrence.
The method of treatment chosen by the doctor depends on the degree of damage, the type of neoplasm, the health status of the patient and his age.
There are specific vaccines used in women to prevent the most dangerous disease - squamous cell carcinoma, or cervical cancer. It has been proven that it is caused by one of the dangerous strains of human papillomavirus, because if there is no HPV in the body, this type of cancer does not occur.
Unfortunately, today there is no vaccine that can prevent infection with other types of human papillomavirus, including those that trigger the appearance of tumors on the male intimate organs. The only effective means of protection is still to use condoms during sexual intercourse, as well as adherence to personal hygiene, a cautious attitude to the possibility of infection in public places.
Prognosis and possible complications
Doctors conclude that in 90% of all cases of HPV infection, if a person has strong immunity, the body independently overcomes the virus within 24 months. But this observation only applies to certain strains of human papillomavirus, which are incapable of triggering the development of cancer.
The most dangerous complication should be considered malignancy, that is, the transformation of the papilloma into cancer. But only a small fraction of HPV strains have such properties. The sad consequences can be prevented with early access to timely medical and diagnostic help.
In rare cases, after papilloma removal, neoplasms can form on the scar tissue and around it, if the virus is actively multiplying in the patient’s body due to weakened immunity. In such cases, recurrent removal of the papilloma and comprehensive strengthening of the patient’s immunity will be required to prevent further formation growth.
In most cases, the prognosis is positive if the disease is not overly advanced. But this was rare with genital warts, as its development caused severe discomfort to the man, and he quickly turned to a doctor.