Most of the time people don't suspect they have the human papillomavirus (HPV) in their bodies. This is due to the fact that the papillomavirus is usually present in a latent form, suppressed by natural immunity. Problems arise when it gets out of control and begins to actively manifest itself in the form of growths on different parts of the body. Men are less likely to suffer from the effects of the virus than women, however, for them, its action can turn into serious problems in the form of papillomas on the penis.
Causes of occurrence
Viral DNA enters the body through microcracks in the skin or mucous membranes. If a man's immunity is weakened, the first manifestations of HPV will appear several months after infection.
Up to 80% of transmission occurs sexually. Barrier contraception minimizes the risk of infection, but does not completely eliminate it.
Other ways of infection:
- Family path.The virus is transmitted together with the personal belongings of an infected person: clothing, hygiene items, etc. The risk of transmission increases if there is even minor skin damage. This pathway is characterized by infection with low oncogenic virus types. They do not cause serious health problems, but come in the form of genital warts, papillomas and warts, creating a cosmetic defect.
- From mother to son.If the mother was infected with HPV during pregnancy and delivery and gave birth naturally, the baby is likely to be infected.
If a man has a good immune defense, the virus does not manifest itself and can remain latent in the body for a long time. Therefore, it is not the infection of the virus itself that is dangerous, but a weakening of the immune system, which leads to the activation of HPV.
There are a number of factors that influence the possibility of strengthening the position of the virus:
- chronic diseases;
- hormonal problems;
- incorrectly selected contraception or its complete absence;
- viral infections;
- alcohol, smoking or long-term use of antibiotics;
- frequent stress.
All of these factors negatively affect the immune system. If in a man's life there is not one provoking factor, but several, this will lead to a faster development of the papillomavirus.
Symptoms
Often, papillomas appear only externally, however, in some cases, non-specific symptoms may occur:
- itching and burning during intercourse;
- pain when touching papillomas;
- accumulation of urine in the folds of the penis;
- unpleasant odor in the affected area.
Furthermore, neoplasms can grow and affect not only the penile area, but also appear on the anus and pubis.
What do papillomas look like
Penile papilloma is a small neoplasm. At first, it can appear on its own, but without proper treatment, the number of papillomas increases. However, they can merge with each other.
These growths look like flesh-colored or pink cauliflower inflorescences. Most often they are localized in the foreskin, on the head and in the frenulum. Less commonly, they are diagnosed in the urethra and scrotum. Papillomas can also appear as small white pimples that appear in long lines. This form is typical for localization in the bridle area.
One of the manifestations of HPV is Buschke-Levenshtein warts. It stands out for its rapid growth, exceptional size and resistance to various types of treatment. Its appearance is due to several existing papillomas and warts, which merge together and form a large area of the lesion. The presence of Buschke-Levenshtein condyloma is dangerous because the cells modified by it can easily turn into cancer.
Which doctor to contact
As a rule, a urologist deals with the diagnosis of papillomas in men. You can also seek advice from a dermatovenerologist or proctologist if you have genital warts in the anal area. However, papillomas are usually referred to a surgeon for removal. In total, the diagnosis occurs in several stages:
- The urologist examines and questions the patient.Verbal interrogation is necessary to assess the patient's lifestyle and establish the cause of the virus infection. Visual examination involves not only assessing the condition of the penis, but also the adjacent organs - the scrotum, the anal area. This is necessary to complete the picture of the location of the virus.
- Urethral smear.Determines the presence of various sexually transmitted diseases.
- PCR.This analysis not only shows the presence of HPV in the body, but most likely also determines its type.
- Meatoscopy.This procedure is an examination of the urethra if the papillomavirus has infected the frenulum.
- After the removal of the papilloma, the doctor may order a biopsyto evaluate the condition of the removed tumor. This is necessary to eliminate the risk of developing cancer and to ensure that the papilloma is benign.
In this case, a survey of both partners should be conducted. Usually a woman is also infected with one of the types of papillomavirus. If only one man is treated, it is very likely that after a while he will get sick again.
Why papillomas are dangerous
Human papillomavirus is often accompanied by other related diseases. The appearance of papillomas in the glans area contributes to the accumulation of urine in the folds. This creates conditions for the emergence and growth of various microorganisms, which subsequently lead to infections. They can cause erosion around the papilloma and also contribute to inflammation of the urethra and testicles. These diseases are characterized by problems with urination, pain and high fever.
Another danger is trauma to cancer, which leads to bleeding. This is due to the fact that many blood vessels form around the papillomas, which supply them with blood. Even minor damage can cause infections due to injury.
Also, neoplasms can rub during movement, which causes pain and discomfort in a man.
HPV and cancer
When the virus is just starting to spread, the neoplasms are sporadic and benign. Without treatment, they grow and merge with each other. Over time, the cells degenerate into malignant cells.The risk of cancer is particularly high if a man is infected with highly oncogenic types of viruses - 16 or 18.They are those that contribute to the onset of penile and bladder cancer.
Treatment of papillomas
Treatment of HPV involves not only removing its external manifestations, but also strengthening the immune system, which should block the manifestations of the virus.Immunostimulating drugs are used to maintain immunity.
As an antiviral drug, an effective ointment suppresses the multiplication of the virus and removes small growths. It does not always cope with the task of complete removal, but prevents the appearance of new growths. Antiviral ointment is prescribed to stimulate immunity. The ointment does not remove papillomas, but promotes the activation of the cells of the immune system, which stops their growth and development.
Removal methods
There are several ways to get rid of the new growths that have appeared:
- Laser removal.A laser beam acts on the papilloma, which completely burns out the growth. A crust forms in this place, which disappears after a few weeks. The method is considered effective for the absence of relapses. Removal is done under anesthesia. There is no bleeding, no scars or scars.
- Cryodestruction.Papillomas are exposed to liquid nitrogen. Instantly blocks the desired area, the neoplasm on it collapses and dies. The disadvantage of this method is the inability to control the depth of the cryodestruction effect. A crust also remains at the site of the removed papilloma, which disappears after a while.
- Radiosurgery.The principle of this method is similar to laser removal. Radio waves do not leave scars and scars, and the procedure is preceded by preliminary anesthesia with a special spray. After that there are no complications and the body quickly recovers.
- Electrocoagulation.The growth is influenced by an electric current, thanks to which the leg is eliminated, after which the papilloma disappears. If necessary, superficial anesthesia can be administered. The procedure takes several minutes, is widespread and convenient. But this method is capable of leaving scars after healing.
- Surgery.It is used in rare cases when the tumor becomes too large. It is done under anesthesia, has a long healing and trauma. The method is good in that it allows you to save the growth removed for histological examination.
The cost of each method depends on the complexity of the work, the size and number of papillomas to be removed.
Before choosing a method, consult your doctor. He will tell you what is best to use in your situation, tell you in detail how the procedure is carried out. In addition, after removal of the neoplasm, it is advisable to take the material for histology. This is necessary to determine whether the process of degeneration of benign neoplasms into malignant ones has begun. This method will help detect early cell changes and prevent the spread of cancer.