Human papillomavirus (HPV) leads to the growth of the epithelium of the skin, the mucous membrane of the anogenital region and the upper respiratory tract. Less commonly it affects the internal organs: esophagus, bronchi, rectum, bladder. As a result of the activity of the virus, 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 does papilloma require special attention and removal? The article will talk about it.
The way of infection
Infection occurs after contact with a virus carrier, as well as with a sick person or animal. It is worth noting that an infected person may completely lack clinical manifestations of papillomatosis. Sometimes he doesn't even know about his infection himself. The penetration of the virus into the human body occurs through micro-lesions of the skin or mucous membranes. For the development of an infectious process, single viral particles are sufficient. The virus is able to maintain its viability in the environment. That is why self-infection is possible even during hygienic procedures and in everyday life (shaving, hair removal, skin combing, self-injections). The bathrooms, swimming pools, gyms, etc. they are considered the main public foci for the transmission of infection. Mass diseases were registered among schoolchildren. A newborn can become a carrier of human papillomavirus infection when it passes through the mother's birth canal.
Types of HPV
Currently, scientists have identified around 180 types of HPV, of which 29 strains are considered oncogenes. Depending on the oncogenic potential, they are divided into viruses:
- low degree of oncoactivity (types 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70, 72, 81),
- average degree of oncoactivity (types 26, 31, 33, 35, 51, 52, 53, 58, 66)
- high degree of oncoactivity (16, 18, 39, 45, 56, 59, 68. 73, 82).
According to the latest data, one or another strain of the human papillomavirus can be found in the blood of about 80% of the world population. However, this does not mean that all infected people have papillomatosis. What factors provoke 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 throughout 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, which suppresses the multiplication of a foreign agent. The special role of cellular immunity has been confirmed. It blocks the persistence of the virus at its level (the ability to remain active for a long time outside the acute phase), and in some cases it contributes to the regression of the lesions. Spontaneous regression of papillomatosis occurs within six months. However, not everyone's body defense is at such a high level, so latent HPV infection turns into an open (manifest) form. Papilloma is formed under the influence of such factors as:
- promiscuous sex life, frequent changes of partners;
- contact with a partner with a history of genital papillomatosis;
- the presence of concomitant sexually transmitted infections;
- states of immunodeficiency in vitamin deficiency, atopic dermatitis, pregnancy, AIDS;
- frequent colds and SARS;
- hormonal contraception;
- Autoimmune diseases;
- smoking and alcohol.
The skin, which has damage or a tendency to inflammation, becomes a powerful provoking factor, ceases to perform a protective function. Therefore, people with inflammatory skin diseases (acne, rashes), eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis are at risk.
Respiratory papillomatosis
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is the most common benign tumor of the larynx. In the respiratory tract, papilloma occurs 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, up to asphyxiation. In adults, it is considered an obligate precancer due to a high degree of malignancy (degeneration into a malignant tumor). The main symptom of the disease is usually hoarseness, which then develops into a loss of loudness of the voice. The patient remains able to speak in a whisper. In the first stage, the manifestation of respiratory papillomatosis is sometimes mistaken for acute laryngitis. Therefore, it is impossible to prescribe treatment without endoscopic examination. Various physiotherapy procedures in the larynx area lead to the rapid growth of the papilloma.
Baby warts
Warts are benign epidermal growths that are mainly encountered in children and adolescents. They develop on the face, hands, neck, often causing a lot of emotional problems for their owners. However, over 70% of these types of papillomas disappear without a trace within 1, 5 - 2 years. Therefore, doctors resort to their removal only in extreme cases, because with the end of hormonal changes, it is quite possible that the body will cope with HPV infection on its own. Additional risk factors in childhood are frequent stress associated with studying and passing exams, overwork, lack of sleep, malnutrition, delicate skin in children, acne in adolescents.
It is necessary to remove papillomas on the skin
Some neoplasms degenerate into malignant neoplasms. This process cannot be neglected if you are attentive to yourself. The alarm must be sounded if any of the symptoms are detected:
- papilloma changes in size and configuration (it grows rapidly, the edges are blurred, additional growths and seals are formed);
- the color of the neoplasm changes towards darkening;
- the inflammatory process joins, the skin flakes, cracks, exudes exudate;
- pain appears.
All of the above are indications for the removal of growths. It is also worth resorting to a radical method of solving problems if the papilloma is located in places accessible for everyday injuries (on the neck, in the armpits, in the waist area, etc. ). Constant grazing and rubbing can initiate the oncological process, and also contribute to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.
Methods for removing neoplasms
Destructive methods of treating skin growths are divided into:
- chemical (80-90% trichloroacetic acid and other drugs);
- physical (plasma coagulation, cryodestruction, laser therapy, electrosurgery).
If removal is planned in adolescents or pregnant women, only laser therapy is used. After destruction, the use of local antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs is indicated.
But the main method of eliminating papillomas of the larynx is endolaryngeal surgery under anesthesia using microtools or a surgical laser, after which stable remission is recorded in only one third of patients. In practice, a combined approach is used: further cryodestruction is performed (with a local form of the disease), local anticancer drugs are prescribed. The most common is inhalation with a special solution.