Not everyone knows that squamous cell papilloma is the result of a viral disease. In addition to being a cosmetic problem, the disease can seriously harm your health, including death. The tumor can "grow" anywhere in the body and affect internal organs.
What is squamous cell papilloma and its structure
The answer to the question: "What is it? " is a benign neoplasm. The main places of localization include the face, neck and mucous membranes. If the pathology is left untreated for a long time, it can become malignant. Externally, a flat papilloma resembles a circle-shaped mole. The color can vary from flesh to deep brown. Doctors call squamous papilloma with hyperkeratosis the most common. It occurs mainly in older people, sometimes in people aged between 30 and 35.
Causes and sources of infection
There are many ways to get infected with squamous cell papilloma of the skin, some of them are simple and do not cause any concern:
- Sexual intercourse of any origin: vaginal, oral, anal;
- Daily contact (handshake). The presence of open wounds is fundamental here;
- Visiting public places with high levels of humidity: swimming pool, sauna;
- Violation of personal hygiene rules.
This type of papillomas is diagnosed in people with a low level of immunity who have a lot of casual sexual contact.
The penetration of the virus into a healthy body does not mean that papillomas will appear in the near future. This only happens when immunity wanes. Main reason:
- Presence of bad habits: alcoholism, smoking, illegal drugs, poor quality nutrition;
- Malfunction of the digestive system;
- Skin diseases;
- Elderly age;
- Hereditary predisposition;
- Third party chemical exposure.
Esophageal papilloma appears almost immediately after a failure. It forms on the tongue, lips, inside the mouth, esophagus and intestines.
Why is it dangerous for humans?
The main danger is that papilloma with hyperkeratosis develops into cancer in more than 60% of cases. If growth forms in the respiratory system, there is a risk of gradual oxygen starvation leading to death. When a growth appears in the intestine, it can worsen due to exposure to feces. With squamous cell papilloma of the esophagus there is a risk of inflammation and bleeding due to consumption of solid foods or low-quality alcohol.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Symptoms of squamous cell papilloma formation are few and vague. First, the area with growth is inspected. Most people confuse skin growths with warts and do not pay attention to them, hoping that they will disappear over time. The neoplasm develops and grows very slowly, and inflammation appears very rarely.
Foci of manifestation appear mainly in the thinner areas of the skin. This is the area of the eyelid, neck, chest. If the eyelid is affected, damage to the conjunctiva may occur.
The neoplasm grows and develops gradually, its average size is from 0. 3 to 1. 5 centimeters. The color of the neoplasm is different and can change over time from flesh-colored to purple.
Picking, squeezing, or cutting a squamous cell papilloma is dangerous; an infection can get into an open wound.
There are no particular diagnostic measures to detect the presence of the virus. First, a therapist performs a visual examination of the tumor. Subsequently she writes reports to other specialists: a dermatologist, a gynecologist. The appointment is made based on the location of the papilloma. If it is located on the outside of the skin, the diagnosis can be determined immediately. If the growth is inside the body, fluoroscopy is prescribed.
If the rectum is affected, the doctor palpates the neoplasm; the cervix is clearly visible using a gynecological lens.
There are a number of mandatory procedures:
- Biopsy;
- Blood analysis;
- PCR test.
If necessary, the attending physician can prescribe additional diagnostic methods.
Papillomas of the esophagus
The main sites for the formation of squamous cell papilloma of the esophagus are the tongue, lips and oral mucosa. The virus can be accompanied by the formation of small ulcers and itching.
With papillomas on the lips, the first thing that appears is swelling and discomfort when eating. If the affected area is damaged, blood appears. The growth can grow rapidly and cause lip cancer.
With papilloma of the esophagus, the symptoms of which occur mainly in the male half of the population. The causes of the disease can be poor nutrition, poor-quality food and bad habits. The main location of the tumor in the esophagus is its central part. The size of each is from 1-2 millimeters to 3-4 centimeters, elongated in shape, on a stem. The patient notices stomach pain, belching, excessive salivation, and a lump in the throat. Diagnosis is made by x-ray and esophagoscopy.
Signs of formations in the mouth and larynx
With squamous cell papilloma of the larynx, the patient has pain when eating, swallowing, and sometimes even breathing. Sometimes there are difficulties in speaking. The size of the growth is small, pedunculated. If a neoplasm is discovered in a child, treatment is not started immediately, it happens that it disappears on its own. If the disease is not fought in adulthood, it could degenerate into a malignant tumor.
The appearance of squamous cell papilloma of the tongue at first does not manifest itself in any way. Flesh-colored white growths begin to appear only if the patient has injured them in some way. After a few weeks, bad breath appears, itching, burning and ulcers form.
Symptoms in the larynx in adults may vary depending on the general condition of the body and the degree of development of the disease. There may be a sore throat, a lump in the nose, discomfort, congestion, itching. If a growth has formed on the septum, it gradually grows through the sinuses, disrupting the normal processes of oxygen in and out.
Symptoms of formations in intimate places
With squamous cell papilloma of the cervix, there is a very high risk that the benign state of the neoplasm will turn into cancer. Often this process is accompanied by erosion and genital warts.
In the initial phase of initial development, the virus does not present any symptoms. Itching and burning gradually appear in the affected area and over time a constant state of discomfort appears. Unloading is possible. Papilloma is detected during a routine examination by a gynecologist and a colposcopy may be prescribed. During pregnancy, a woman may experience a decrease in her level of immunity and, as a result, the appearance of papillomas. In these cases, immediate removal is recommended.
If we talk about the genitourinary system, the most problematic place for women is the rectum. In the initial phase there are no symptoms, then pain, itching, purulent discharge and blood in the stool appear. The diagnosis can be made after a palpation procedure. In 90% of cases when this type of neoplasm appears, doctors send you for tests for syphilis.
Methods of treatment and removal
In most cases, patients seek treatment when symptoms are already severe. It is forbidden to prescribe yourself treatment or try to remove papilloma. Removal is done in several ways:
- Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen;
- Surgery;
- Removal by high frequency current;
- Laser removal;
- Operation using a radio knife.
Esophageal papilloma requires additional examination; as a result, treatment may take longer.
After the removal procedure, the scar is practically invisible. But there is no 100% guarantee that the tumor will not return. Without proper prevention, the virus will reawaken and growths will appear. After treatment, the patient is prescribed a course of antiviral drugs, vitamins and immunomodulators. It is important to restore the level of general immunity as effectively as possible. Even if the virus remains in the body, it will contain it, preventing the formation of papillomas. It is recommended to completely eliminate bad habits.
Treatment with folk remedies
Squamous cell papilloma, like all other types of growths, is formed mainly in older people. For many of them, surgery is contraindicated. In these cases, the treating doctor recommends turning to traditional medicine. The most recommended means are:
- Freshly squeezed potato juice. Course – 2 months, take 100 ml, 2 times a day;
- Celandine juice. Course – 4 weeks, the affected area is lubricated with liquid several times a day;
- Fresh garlic. The clean slice is fixed to the growth with an adhesive plaster for 2-3 hours.
Currant leaves, licorice root, nettle, lemongrass, plantain, garlic, beetroot and carrot are actively used in the preparation of medicinal infusions. In addition to taking medicinal compounds internally, you can prepare salads and soups with medicinal plants and vegetables.
Prevention and prognosis
The main preventive methods are:
- Timely seeking medical assistance;
- Appropriate nutrition;
- Elimination of all bad habits.
Papilloma of the esophagus, bladder and cervix "responds" well to traditional natural medicine. Their treatment is also slightly different from the traditional one; it also takes more time.
After removal surgery, rehabilitation may proceed differently and complications may occur. In short, the forecasts are always favorable. The percentage of deaths is minimal. If the process of tumor cell formation has already begun, the survival rate is 30-35%.
If medical help is sought in time, a complete recovery is possible in 90% and soft tissue damage is minimal. Even cancerous tumors are successfully removed and the degeneration process can be stopped.