Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes epithelial growth of the skin, mucous membranes of the anogenital region and the upper respiratory tract. Less often affects internal organs - esophagus, bronchi, rectum, bladder. As a result of viral activity, various forms of neoplasms are formed. Some of them are quite benign in nature, and some carry the threat of cancerous tumors. In what cases do papillomas require special attention and removal? This article will tell you about it.
infection route
Infection occurs after contact with carriers of the virus, as well as with sick people or animals. It should be noted that an infected person may have absolutely no clinical manifestations of papillomatosis. He sometimes doesn't even know about the infection. Penetration of the virus into the human body occurs through micro-damage to the skin or mucous membranes. For the development of the infectious process, a single viral particle is sufficient. This virus is able to maintain its survival in the environment. That is why self-infection is also possible during hygiene procedures and in everyday life (shaving, shaving, combing the skin, self-injection). Baths, swimming pools, gyms, etc. are considered the main common breeding grounds for infection transmission. Mass sickness has been noted among schoolchildren. Newborn babies can become carriers of human papillomavirus infection when passing through the mother's birth canal.
Types of HPV
To date, scientists have identified about 180 types of HPV, of which 29 are considered oncogenic. Depending on the oncogenic potential, they are divided into viruses:
- low levels of oncoactivity (types 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70, 72, 81),
- mean level of oncoactivity (types 26, 31, 33, 35, 51, 52, 53, 58, 66)
- high levels of oncoactivity (16, 18, 39, 45, 56, 59, 68, 73, 82).
According to the latest data, one or several types of human papilloma virus can be found in the blood of about 80% of the world's population. However, this does not mean that all infected people have papillomatosis. What factors trigger the development of the disease?
Immunity and papilloma
Why does the virus disappear from the body of some people without a trace, in others it persists for life without consequences, and in others it leads to the formation of papillomas? HPV is an infection that is quite capable of suppressing the immune system. In healthy people and virus carriers, a strong immune system is observed that suppresses the multiplication of foreign agents. The specific role of cellular immunity has been confirmed. This blocks the persistence of the virus at its level (the ability to remain active for a long time beyond the acute phase), and in some cases contributes to lesion regression. Spontaneous regression of papillomatosis occurs within six months. However, not everyone has a high body defense, and then latent HPV infection turns into an open form (manifest). Papillomas are formed under the influence of factors such as:
- free sex life, frequent change of partners;
- contact with a partner with a history of genital papillomatosis;
- the presence of accompanying sexually transmitted infections;
- immunodeficiency states in vitamin deficiency, atopic dermatitis, pregnancy, AIDS;
- frequent colds and SARS;
- hormonal contraception;
- autoimmune disease;
- smoking and alcohol.
The skin, which is damaged or prone to inflammation, becomes a strong provoking factor, it ceases to perform a protective function. Therefore, people with inflammatory skin diseases (acne, rash), eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis are at risk.
Respiratory papillomatosis
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is the most common benign tumor of the larynx. In the respiratory tract, papillomas occur in any area - from the nasopharynx to the lung parenchyma. But most often it attacks the mucous membrane of the larynx. The severity of the disease is determined by the presence of growths in the narrowest area, which contribute to respiratory obstruction, to asphyxia. In adults, it is considered a mandatory precancerous because of the high rate of malignancy (degeneration into malignant tumors). The main symptom of this disease is usually a hoarse voice, which then progresses to a loss of voice melodies. The patient can still speak in a whisper. In the first stage, the manifestations of respiratory papillomatosis are sometimes mistaken for acute laryngitis. Therefore, it is impossible to prescribe treatment without an endoscopic examination. Various physiotherapeutic procedures in the laryngeal area lead to the rapid growth of papillomas.
baby warts
Warts are benign epidermal growths that are mainly encountered by children and adolescents. They develop on the face, hands, neck, often cause a lot of emotional problems for their owners. However, more than 70% of these types of papillomas disappear without a trace within 1. 5 - 2 years. Therefore, doctors resort to its removal only in extreme cases, because with the end of hormonal changes, it is quite possible that the body will cope with the HPV infection on its own. Additional risk factors in childhood are stress often associated with studying and passing exams, overwork, lack of sleep, malnutrition, delicate skin in infants, acne in teens.
Is it necessary to remove papillomas on the skin?
Some neoplasms turn malignant. This process cannot be ignored if one pays attention to oneself. It is important to sound the alarm if any of the following symptoms are found:
- papillomas change in size and configuration (growing rapidly, the edges are blurred, additional growths and seals form);
- the color of the neoplasm turns dark;
- the inflammatory process joins, skin flakes, cracks, fluid exudate;
- pain appears.
All of the above are indications for removing growths. It is also necessary to resort to radical methods of solving the problem if the papilloma is located in places accessible for everyday injuries (on the neck, in the armpits, in the lumbar region, etc. ). Constant grazing and rubbing can initiate oncological processes, and also contribute to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.
Methods for removing neoplasms
Methods of destructive treatment of skin growths are divided into:
- chemical (80-90% trichloroacetic acid and other drugs);
- physical (plasma coagulation, cryodestruction, laser therapy, electrosurgery).
If removal is expected in adolescents or pregnant women, then only laser therapy is used. After destruction, the use of local antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs is indicated.
But the main method of removing laryngeal papillomas is endolaryngeal surgery under anesthesia using surgical micro- or laser instruments, after which stable remission is noted in only one third of patients. In practice, a combined approach is used: additional cryodestruction is performed (with localized forms of the disease), local antitumor drugs are prescribed. The most common is inhalation with a special solution.