Not every individual knows that squamous cell papilloma is the result of a viral disease. In addition to being an aesthetic problem, this disease can be dangerous to health, including death. Tumors can "grow" in any part of 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 places of localization include the face, neck, and mucous membranes. If the pathology is not treated for a long time, it can become malignant. Outwardly, a flat papilloma resembles a mole in the shape of a circle. The color can vary from flesh to dark brown. Doctors call squamous papilloma with hyperkeratosis the most common. It mainly occurs in older people, sometimes in individuals aged 30-35 years.
Causes and causes of infection
There are many ways to get infected with squamous cell papilloma of the skin, some of which are simple and do not cause any concern:
- Sexual intercourse of any origin: vagina, mouth, anus;
- Daily contact (handshake). The basis here is the presence of an open wound;
- Visiting public places with high levels of humidity: swimming pools, saunas;
- Violation of personal hygiene standards.
This type of papilloma is diagnosed in people with a low level of immunity who have a lot of casual sexual contact.
The penetration of the virus into a healthy body does not mean that papillomas will appear in the near future. This only happens when the immunity decreases. Main reason:
- The presence of bad habits: alcoholism, smoking, illegal drugs, low-quality nutrition;
- Damage to the digestive system;
- Skin disease;
- Elderly age;
- Hereditary tendencies;
- Third party chemical exposure.
Esophageal papilloma appears almost immediately after failure. It is formed on the tongue, lips, inside the mouth, in the esophagus, and intestines.
Why is it dangerous for humans?
The main danger is that papillomas with hyperkeratosis develop into cancer in more than 60% of cases. If the growth is formed in the respiratory system, there is a risk of a gradual lack of oxygen, which leads to death. When a tumor appears in the intestine, it may fester due to exposure to feces. With esophageal squamous cell papilloma, there is a risk of inflammation and bleeding from eating solid food or low-quality alcohol.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Symptoms of squamous cell papilloma formation are few and vague. First, areas with growth are examined. Most individuals mistake skin growths as warts and ignore them, hoping they will disappear over time. Neoplasm develops and grows very slowly, and inflammation appears very rarely.
The focus of manifestation mainly appears in the thinnest area of the skin. This is the area of the eyelids, neck, chest. If the eyelids are affected, damage to the conjunctiva may occur.
The neoplasm grows and develops gradually, its average size is from 0. 3 to 1. 5 centimeters. The color of the neoplasm varies and can change over time from flesh-colored to purple.
Picking, squeezing or cutting a squamous cell papilloma is dangerous; infection can enter the open wound.
There are no special diagnostic steps to detect the presence of the virus. First, a visual examination of the tumor is performed by a therapist. After that, he writes referrals to other specialists: dermatologists, gynecologists. 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 the rectum is affected, the doctor palpates the neoplasm; the cervix is clearly visible using a gynecological glass.
There are several mandatory procedures:
- Biopsy;
- Blood analysis;
- PCR screening.
If necessary, the attending physician may prescribe additional diagnostic methods.
Esophageal papilloma
The main sites for the formation of esophageal squamous cell papillomas are the tongue, lips, and oral mucosa. The virus may be accompanied by the formation of small ulcers and itching.
With papilloma on the lips, the first thing that appears is swelling and discomfort when eating. If the affected area is damaged, blood appears. The growth can grow quickly and cause lip cancer.
With esophageal papilloma, the symptoms occur mainly in the male half of the population. The cause of this disease can be poor nutrition, poor quality food, and bad habits. The main location of the tumor in the esophagus is its middle part. The size of each is from 1-2 millimeters to 3-4 centimeters, elongated, on the stalk. Patients note pain in the stomach, belching, excessive salivation, and a lump in the throat. Diagnosis is carried out using radiography 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 there is difficulty speaking. The size of the growth is small, stalked. If a neoplasm is found in a child, treatment is not started immediately, it happens on its own. If you do not fight this disease in adulthood, it may degenerate into a malignant tumor.
The appearance of squamous cell papilloma of the tongue does not manifest in any way at first. White, flesh-colored growths begin to manifest only if the patient somehow injures them. After a few weeks, bad breath appears, itching, burning, and ulcers form.
Symptoms in the larynx in adults may vary, depending on the general condition of the body and the degree of development of the disease. There may be a sore throat, a lump in the nose, discomfort, congestion, itching. If a growth has formed on the septum, it gradually grows throughout the nasal sinuses, disrupting the normal process of oxygen in and out.
Symptoms of formation in intimate places
With squamous cell papilloma of the cervix, there is a very high risk for benign neoplasms to turn into cancer. Often this process is accompanied by erosion and genital warts.
In the initial stage, early development, the virus does not have any symptoms. Itching and burning gradually appear in the affected area, and over time a constant state of discomfort appears. Release is possible. Papilloma is detected during a routine examination by a gynecologist, and a colposcopy may be prescribed. During pregnancy, a woman may experience a decrease in her immunity level and, thus, 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. There are no symptoms in the early stages, then pain, itching, purulent discharge, and blood in the stool appear. Diagnosis can be made after a palpation procedure. In 90% of cases when this type of neoplasm appears, the doctor sends you to take a test for syphilis.
Treatment and removal methods
In most cases, patients seek treatment when symptoms are severe. It is forbidden to prescribe treatment for yourself or try to remove papillomas. Removal is done in several ways:
- Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen;
- Surgery;
- Removal by high frequency current;
- Laser removal;
- Operation using a radio knife.
Esophageal papilloma requires additional examination; therefore, 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 wake up again and growth 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 successfully. Although the virus remains in the body, it will contain it, preventing the formation of papillomas. It is recommended to eliminate bad habits completely.
Treatment with folk remedies
Squamous cell papillomas, like all other types of growths, are formed mainly in the elderly. Surgical intervention is contraindicated for most of them. In such cases, the attending physician advises turning to traditional medicine. The most recommended way is:
- 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 pieces are tied to the growth with adhesive plaster for 2-3 hours.
Currant leaves, licorice root, nettle, lemongrass, plantain, garlic, beets, and carrots are actively used in the preparation of medicinal infusions. In addition to taking medicinal compounds internally, you can prepare salads and soups from medicinal plants and vegetables.
Prevention and prognosis
The main prevention methods are:
- Get early medical help;
- Proper nutrition;
- Elimination of all bad habits.
Papillomas of the esophagus, bladder, and cervix "respond" well to traditional natural remedies. Their treatment is also slightly different from the traditional one; it also takes longer.
After removal surgery, recovery can be carried out differently, and complications may occur. Basically, predictions are always favorable. The mortality rate is minimal. If the process of cancer cell formation has already started, the survival rate is 30-35%.
If you seek medical help in time, complete healing is 90% possible, and soft tissue damage is minimal. Cancer tumors were also successfully removed, and the degeneration process could be stopped.