Papillomas are protruding formations that appear on the skin and mucous membranes of a person. In fact, they are not a disease, but serve only as an external manifestation of the body's infection with HPV - the human papillomavirus.
Papillomavirus exists 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 of a warty nature.
Human papillomavirus is transmitted in different ways, from a sick person to a healthy one. The main method is sexual, with unprotected intercourse. But you can "catch" the virus at home, in contact with a carrier, if there are integrity defects on the body or mucous membranes, through blood and other fluids infected with the virus.
It is quite difficult to completely "exterminate" a virus that has already entered the body, but in about 90% of cases there is an independent cure, that is, the immune system itself "kills" the virus. However, in some cases, the disease takes on a recurring character and can last for many years.
A particular danger is represented by the strains with the capacity of malignancy, that is to the transformation of a neoplasm into a malignant one.
HPV has a long incubation period, with strong immunity, it can last from a month to a year.
But once the immune system is weakened, it will make itself felt immediately. Symptoms of its presence are formations on the body and mucous membranes, which can have a round, oval or oblong shape and of various sizes, from a few millimeters to a couple of centimeters.
More than 600 strains of the virus are known to medicine, of which more than 40 are capable of causing neoplasms in the genital and anal regions in men and women. They are the ones that cause papillomas on the penis, which are referred to as genital warts.
Some of the papillomas are harmless to human health, others are capable of provoking an annoying cosmetic defect - warts, and still others threaten the body with the most dangerous disease - cancer. There is medical evidence between cervical and breast cancer that develops with infection with certain strains of HPV.
If a virus that can cause papillomas on the genitals enters the body, the main way of its entry is considered sexual. Promiscuous relationships, bisexual and homosexual contacts are particularly dangerous. But the virus could be congenital: the fetus becomes infected when it passes through the birth canal of an infected mother. There is also the risk of infection in skin lesions when visiting the swimming pool, public toilet, bathroom, sauna, gym, hair removal, shaving.
Signs and symptoms of the disease
Symptoms depend on the site of localization, the number and size of the papillomas.
Most often, papillomas on the penis affect the head of the organ, "settle" along the foreskin, form colonies on the bridle, and can even penetrate the urethra.
With a strong proliferation of papillomas take the form of "cauliflower", during intercourse, urination can be hurt, hurt and even bleeding.
Since it is a viral disease, the period of activation of the growth of papillomas is accompanied by a sharp decrease in immunity. A person feels weak, lethargic, his body temperature may rise, most often clinging to subfebrile levels (37 - 37. 5 ° C). Since immunity is reduced, an infected person can easily catch a cold and "catch" ARVI and ARI.
The proliferation of papillomas can lead to phimosis, a 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 individual papillomas are detected, it is urgent 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 papilloma is determined visually by the doctor, but other studies are needed to clarify the strain and the degree of its riskiness for the patient. The patient donates blood for typing by PCR, a Digene screening test, and is examined for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases, since in the vast majority of cases HPV is "bundled" with sexually transmitted diseases.
If the penetration of papillomas into the urethra is suspected, urethroscopy is performed. The doctor may order a biopsy if the growth is too large or if doctors suspect the formation has started to degenerate 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 the infected person, sometimes it remains in it until the end of the patient's life. Medicines to combat HPV are the use of antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs that stimulate the activity of a person's immunity.
Basically, the actions of doctors are aimed at eliminating the external signs of the presence of a virus, that is, the papillomas themselves, warts and genital warts.
Only in the case of cancerous degeneration is complex treatment applied, which includes surgery and the use of chemotherapy to eliminate the threat of tumor spread.
To remove papillomas on the penis, the following methods of treatment are used:
- Surgical excision.
- Electrocoagulation.
- Removal of formations with a laser (neodymium or carbon dioxide).
- Cryodestruction - destruction of a neoplasm by liquid nitrogen. Cryodestruction can be applied or aerosolized.
- Cauterization with chemicals.
In most cases, the use of these methods is enough to remove the papilloma and prevent its reappearance.
The method of treatment is chosen by the doctor based on the degree of damage, the type of neoplasm, the state of health of the patient and her age.
There is a specialized vaccine that is used in women to prevent the most dangerous disease: squamous cell carcinoma or cervical cancer. It has been shown that it is caused by one of the dangerous strains of the human papillomavirus, since in the absence of 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 papillomaviruses, including those that cause growths on male intimate organs. The only effective way of protection is still the use of condoms during sexual intercourse, as well as the observance of personal hygiene, a cautious attitude towards possible infections in public places.
Prognosis and possible complications
Doctors came 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 this observation applies only to certain strains of the human papillomavirus, which are unable to provoke the development of cancer.
The most dangerous complication should be considered malignancy, that is, the transformation of the papilloma into cancer. But only a fraction of HPV strains have such properties. The sad consequences can be prevented with timely access to medical care and timely diagnostics.
In rare cases, after the removal of the papilloma, 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 a situation, repeated removal of papillomas and a complete strengthening of the patient's immunity will be required to prevent further growth of the formations.
In most cases, the prognosis is positive if the disease is not too advanced. But this rarely happens with genital warts, as their development causes severe discomfort to humans and quickly turns to doctors.