Papillomas are prominent formations that appear on the skin and mucous membranes of a person. They are not actually a disease, but serve only as an external manifestation of infection of the body with HPV - the human papillomavirus.
Papillomaviruses exist in many different strains, some of which are dangerous because neoplasms have the property of malignant transformation, that is, they can turn into malignant tumors.
The reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the penis
Papillomas are benign formations on the skin or mucous membranes that are warty in nature.
Human papillomavirus is transmitted in several ways, from a sick person to a healthy person. The main method is sexual, with unprotected sexual intercourse. But you can "get" the virus domestically, after contact with a carrier, if there is a defect in the integrity of the body or mucous membranes, through blood and other fluids infected with the virus.
It is quite difficult to completely "kill" the virus that has entered the body, but in about 90% of cases, independent healing occurs, that is, the immune system itself "kills" the virus. However, in some cases, the disease is recurrent and can last for years.
A certain danger is posed by strains with malignant potential, that is, in the transformation of neoplasms into malignant ones.
HPV has a long incubation period, with strong immunity, can last from a month to a year.
But once the immune system weakens, it will be felt immediately. Symptoms of its presence are formations on the body and mucous membranes, which can be round, oval or oval in shape and vary in size, from a few millimeters to several centimeters.
More than 600 types of viruses are known to be medicinal, of which more than 40 are capable of causing neoplasms in the genital and anal regions in both men and women. They are the ones that cause papillomas on the penis, which are referred to as genital warts.
Some papillomas are harmless to human health, others are capable of provoking annoying cosmetic defects - warts, and others threaten the body with the most dangerous disease - cancer. There is medical evidence between cervical cancer and breast cancer that develops with infection with certain types of HPV.
If the virus that can cause papillomas on the genitals enters the body, then the main route of entry is considered sexual. Promiscuity, bisexual and homosexual contact are very dangerous. But the virus may be congenital - the fetus becomes infected as it passes through the birth canal of the infected mother. There is also a risk of infection in skin lesions when visiting swimming pools, public toilets, baths, saunas, gyms, during epilation, shaving.
Signs and symptoms of the disease
Symptoms depend on the location of localization, number and size of papillomas.
Most often, papillomas on the penis affect the head of the organ, "settling" along the foreskin, forming colonies on the bridle, and can even penetrate the urethra.
With the vigorous proliferation of papillomas in the form of "cauliflower", during intercourse, urination can hurt, hurt and even bleed.
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 it persists at a subfebrile level (37 - 37, 5 ° C). Due to reduced immunity, infected people can easily catch a cold and "get" ARVI and ARI.
The proliferation of papillomas can lead to phimosis - narrowing of the foreskin.
Due to this condition, a special lubricant accumulates on the head of the penis - smegma. Its infection can lead to the development of a dangerous disease, therefore, if even one papilloma is found, there is an urgent need to consult a doctor. Individual neoplasms can be removed very quickly and almost painlessly, preventing their growth and a high risk of degeneration into a malignant tumor.
Necessary tests and examinations
The presence of papillomas is determined by the doctor visually, but other studies are needed to clarify the tension and the degree of risk to the patient. Patients donate blood for typing using PCR, the Digene screening test, and are screened for sexually transmitted diseases, as most cases of HPV are "bundled" with STDs.
If there is a suspicion of penetration of the papilloma 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 turn into a cancerous tumor.
Methods for the treatment and removal of papillomas
It is impossible 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 combat HPV is the use of antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs that stimulate the activity of a person's own immune system.
Basically, the doctor's actions are aimed at eliminating external signs of the virus, namely the papilloma itself, warts, and genital warts.
Only in cases of cancerous degeneration, complex treatment is applied, which includes surgery and the use of chemotherapy to eliminate the threat of tumor spread.
To get rid of papillomas on the penis, the following treatment methods are used:
- Lifting operation.
- Electrocoagulation.
- Removal of formations with a laser (neodymium or carbon dioxide).
- Cryodestruction - destruction of neoplasms using liquid nitrogen. Cryodestruction can be applied or aerosol.
- Cauterization with chemicals.
In most cases, the use of this method is sufficient to remove the papilloma and prevent its reappearance.
The method of treatment chosen by the doctor depends on the degree of damage, the type of neoplasm, the patient's health status and age.
There is a special vaccine that is 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 types of the human papilloma virus, because without the presence of HPV in the body, this type of cancer does not occur.
Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine that can prevent other types of human papillomavirus infection, including those that trigger growths in the male sex organs. The only effective way of protection is to keep using a condom during sexual intercourse, as well as to maintain personal hygiene, being careful about possible infections in public places.
Prognosis and possible complications
Doctors come to the conclusion that in 90% of all cases of HPV infection, if a person has strong immunity, the body independently copes with the virus within 24 months. But these observations only apply to certain types of human papillomavirus, which are not capable of triggering the development of cancer.
The most dangerous complication should be considered malignancy, namely the transformation of papillomas into cancer. But only a small percentage of HPV types have such properties. The sad consequences can be prevented with early access to medical help and timely diagnosis.
In rare cases, after removal of the papilloma, neoplasms may form on and around the scar tissue, if the virus is actively multiplying in the patient's body due to weakened immunity. In such a situation, repeated removal of the papilloma and comprehensive strengthening of the patient's immunity will be necessary to prevent further growth of the formation.
In most cases, the prognosis is positive if the disease is not very advanced. But this is rare with genital warts, since their development causes severe discomfort in the man, and he quickly turns to a doctor.