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Papilloma in men

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is transmitted through contact and/or sexual contact. HPV has been known for more than 70 years. In 1935, the ability of this group of viruses to cause the development of papillomas and skin cancer in rabbits was demonstrated. Since then, the ability of HPV to cause cancer in mammals (including humans) has not been doubted, but for some reason it is only now that they began to scare us about this disease and its consequences. In the human body, different types of HPV manifest themselves in different ways. But the unifying property of these viruses is their ability to cause the appearance of papillomas (warts) of various forms.

papillomas on the penis

Papillomas develop at the primary contact site in approximately 1 to 3% of HPV-infected individuals. Papilloma is considered by doctors to be a benign tumor and does not pose a significant threat. Although any change in normal cell growth in the form of a tumor or spot should alert both the patient and the doctor. In some cases, HPV manifests itself exclusively as a dermatological disease with transmission through domestic contact. HPV can also manifest as a venereal disease, causing genital forms of sexually transmitted papillomas. Since cases of cancer in the cutaneous forms of HPV are extremely rare, we will pay more attention to the genital forms of HPV, in which cancer occurs much more often. Genital forms of HPV are caused by about 40 of the 130 known types of the virus. It is estimated that up to 70% of the sexually active adult population will be infected with genital forms of HPV at some point in their lives.

Of course, sexual activity does not mean "obsolete" monogamous relationships. In fact, provided that both partners have never had other sexual contacts, the possibility of having genital forms of HPV is almost zero. With each new partner, the risk of infection increases significantly. In addition, infection is possible with several types of HPV at once, not to mention other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Unlike most other infections, where the main transmission factor is body fluids, contact with the skin and mucous membranes is sufficient for HPV transmission. And if in the case of typical sexually transmitted diseases, the use of a condom is a relatively reliable remedy, then in relation to HPV, such as, for example, genital herpes, its effectiveness is rather dubious.

Papillomas in men

Papilloma in men is a clinical manifestation of infection of a patient with the human papilloma virus. It must be said that the virus is quite common, but it has the ability to remain in the human body for a long time, practically without manifesting itself externally. Under the influence of predisposing factors, the human papillomavirus is activated, causing the formation of various neoplasms of the skin and mucous membranes. Some types of viruses are characterized by oncogenic activity, so any neoplasms on the skin and mucous membranes should be treated with extreme caution, under the supervision of a doctor.

Papillomas in men: causes of occurrence

The cause of the appearance of papillomas on the body in men and women is a virus that can enter the body in various ways:

  • Due to unprotected sexual intercourse - the most common type of infection, also because a person can be a carrier of the virus for a long time, without even knowing it, since the virus has the ability to manifest itself only under the influence of external factors. Transmission is also possible through direct contact with mucous membranes. In this case, the risk of infection increases if the skin or mucous membranes are damaged (cracks, scratches, cuts, etc. are present). Due to the prevalence of this cause of infection, it is understandable that very often papillomas (condylomas) in men and women appear in the intimate area, at the contact points, from which the risk of infection in men is usually greater, due to the their greater sexual activity, but women's mucous membranes are less protected.
  • Through domestic contact: it has now been demonstrated that the HPV virus can enter the human body through ordinary contact (even a handshake), especially in public places (spas, swimming pools, gyms, etc. ).

It is also necessary to remember that infection with the specified virus does not mean its manifestation.Most often, the disease becomes active and makes itself felt if:

  • the patient's immunity is weakened;
  • there were great physical or mental stresses, stress, exhaustion;
  • There are various types of sexually transmitted diseases.

Characteristics of the course of human papillomavirus infection in men

Under natural conditions, most viruses are low pathogenicity due to low infectivity and resistance of hosts to infection. Having penetrated a human cell, a DNA virus very often does not integrate into the cellular genome. Instead, a protein (or group of proteins) encoded by the viral genome rapidly activates the cell's DNA replication system. If the virus replicates synchronously with the cell without damaging it, a non-productive infection develops", otherwise this process is called persistence or asymptomatic transport.

If the virus multiplies rapidly in a cell, the process is called asymptomatic transport, meaning it releases thousands of active virus particles. This period is characterized by the appearance of rounded formations and growths on the skin and mucous membranes. However, HPV types 16 and 18 can integrate into the cellular genome without hijacking cellular genes. This phenomenon is called "insertional mutagenesis" and the gene thus modified is inherited by all the descendants of a given cell. As a result, oncogenes are activated and a tumor appears. Therefore, these cells are inherited by all descendants from the moment of the formation of the fetus, during the woman's pregnancy and the birth of the child.

Main infection factors

  • multiple sexual partners;
  • use of contraceptive pills;
  • to smoke;
  • failure of cellular immunity (anemia, thyroid pathology, presence of chronic foci of coccal infection - tonsillitis, sinusitis, tooth decay);
  • artificial dietary restriction, weight loss.

With a good immune status, in 50% of cases of HPV infection, the virus is eliminated from the woman's body within a year and in 85% of cases within 4 years. This is why the number of women infected with HPV decreases with age. The development of cancer in men and women is closely related to human papillomavirus infection. As a result of a study of men and women infected with human papillomavirus infection, genital warts, body papillomas, warts and flat warts were discovered.

HPV in men: consequences

The virus can cause warts, or genital warts, which, as the name suggests, are found in the groin, on the head of the penis and on the foreskin. This type of warts has very dangerous consequences for men and requires treatment. Warts on the penis can lead to a narrowing of the foreskin, which can make it difficult to expose the head of the penis and lead to problems in personal life. It should also be remembered that in some cases such formations are not an indicator of HPV, but of other sexually transmitted diseases that have not yet manifested themselves (for example, syphilis). Another danger of HPV is that a carrier of the virus can pass it on to their partner, also putting them at risk of developing cancer. Transmission of the virus to the fetus is also possible from an infected mother, so couples wishing to have children should pay special attention to HPV and other diseases of this type.

HPV in men: symptoms

Very often, HPV can be present in the human body for a long time without manifesting itself. However, the most important sign (symptom) of the possible presence of HPV in men and women is the appearance on the skin and mucous membranes, including in the inguinal or pubic area, of warts and papillomas - warts, nodules and skin irregularities, the whose color does not differ from the main color of the skin.Warts- This is a type of genital papilloma, which looks like a small growth attached to the mucosa with a kind of "leg". The size of the warts can vary from a few millimeters to several centimeters: in the latter case we speak of accumulation of warts. Such papillomas can appear on the head of the penis, on the foreskin and even around the anus (so there is a high probability that warts can also be found in the rectum). Most often they are painless, but in some cases men may experience additional symptoms of human papillomavirus if the disease manifests itself as:

  • pain during urination, defecation, or sex;
  • bleeding from warts: sometimes ulcers can form in their place which do not heal for a long time;
  • warts can also sometimes itch.

The listed symptoms usually indicate damage to the wart.

Treatment of HPV in men

Initial exam

The appearance of papillomas, in addition to the presence of HPV in the human body, also indicates an impoverished immune system and the possible presence of other sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, some types of papillomas, especially warts on the head of the penis, have a high oncological potential, so when signs of the disease are first detected, it is necessary to consult a specialist. The sooner one begins to treat human papillomavirus, the greater the chance that a man will avoid serious health consequences of warts. (All of the above also applies to women. )

Initial appointment

The first appointment with a specialist involves a thorough visual examination of the patient's mucous membranes and skin, as well as an interrogation and prescription of tests. Although very often papillomas have a characteristic appearance, further tests and diagnosis allow you to absolutely accurately determine the presence of HPV in the patient's body.If HPV infection is suspected in men, the following tests are usually prescribed::

  • blood test (for warts, also analysis of urethral secretions): modern diagnostic methods allow you to isolate the DNA of the virus from the available material and thus confirm its presence in the patient's body;
  • biopsy of papillomas (condylomas): performed to determine the presence or absence of tumor cells in tumors.

Further treatment regimen

Treatment of human papillomavirus in men is largely determined by the presence or absence of warts on the genitals. Like the herpes virus, it is almost impossible to completely eliminate HPV, so therapeutic effects and surgical intervention are usually aimed at eliminating its manifestations and increasing the period of remission. Removal of HPV papillomas is not indicated in all cases. If the papilloma does not pose a threat and does not interfere with the patient, then at his request it may not be removed, but he will have to undergo regular preventive examinations. Removal is a mandatory treatment for genital warts in men, due to their special location.

Disposal methods are different and are selected individually, including based on the location of the tumors. In addition to the removal of tumors, the treatment of warts in men involves the use of drugs that help strengthen the immune system so that the body can fight the virus and suppress it, thereby suppressing its manifestations. Depending on the method chosen to eliminate warts, the patient may also be prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs.By the way, no technique can completely rid a person of the infection: the disease is only "dulled out". Therapy is combined and includes removal of growths from the skin and the use of medications. The duration depends on the affected area.All skin tumors are removed in several ways:

  • using cryodestruction (liquid nitrogen);
  • diathermocoagulation (high frequency current);
  • electrocoagulation (cauterization with electric current);
  • laser;
  • chemical or surgical method, etc.

In addition to local treatment, various antiviral drugs are used.The main interferon preparations are:

  • In addition to local treatment, various antiviral drugs are used: human interferon;
  • Viferon;
  • cyclopherone;
  • cold;
  • leukinferone, etc.

Interferonit is a substance that the human immune system produces to protect itself from viruses. Thanks to modern scientific advances in the field of genetic engineering, interferon-based drugs are obtained through synthesis. This allows you to obtain a purer drug (free of impurities) and less allergenic. Interferon drugs are absorbed into the blood and have a systemic effect throughout the body. However, there are cases where interferon treatment causes allergic reactions. In this regard, these drugs are stopped and the doctor develops another course of drugs.

Dietary supplement(food supplement) to food that contains indole-3-carbinol - a natural substance found in broccoli - the latest discovery of science. This chemical compound has a strong anti-carcinogenic effect (prevents malignant formations in the intestine, lungs, etc. ). Interestingly, indole-3-carbinol is found in most cabbage varieties. It has been established that the use of indinol increases the effectiveness of interferon treatment. However, this drug is still in the testing phase and its effect on the body is subject to detailed studies. Your doctor may prescribe nonspecific immunomodulators.

It is important to remember that the functioning of the immune system is not fully understood, since its state changes depending on any intervention: be it therapeutic or microbial. For this reason immunomodulators should not be prescribed randomly. It should be remembered that antiviral drugs such as antiviral drug, which is particularly effective against herpes simplex, herpes zoster (shingles) and chickenpox viruses,  have no effect in the treatment of PVI. Therefore their use is impractical.

During treatment the patient can also be informed:

  • abstain from sexual relations, especially unprotected ones, to prevent the virus from entering the partner's body;
  • Strengthen your immune system yourself with diet and moderate physical activity.

Treatment result:It should be remembered that the process of treatment of HPV, its timing and effectiveness largely depend on the general condition of the patient's body, concomitant diseases and the development of possible complications of this disease (oncological in the first place).

Complications

The presence of papillomas and condylomas is an aesthetic defect. Growths located in the genital area negatively affect men's mental and sexual health and lead to difficulties in communicating with the opposite sex. In addition, such a man is a source of infection for his sexual partners. With reduced immunity, warts can grow rapidly, occupying a significant area. When the rectum is involved in the process, the sensation of a foreign body in the rectum appears, anal fissures and other proctological problems may develop. The spread of growths in the urethral area leads to the development of urological pathology. When the formations are injured, bleeding develops. When an infection occurs, inflammation and suppuration begin, which is accompanied by pain, fever, weakness and deterioration of the general condition.

Prevention

The complexity of treating HPV, as well as the serious health problems this virus can cause, determine the importance of preventive measures, which include:

  • ordered sexual intercourse with a trusted partner and used barrier contraceptive measures. At the same time, modern research shows that only high-quality protective equipment can significantly reduce the risk of HPV infection for both partners;
  • strengthening the immune system: diet, taking vitamins, etc. ;
  • use of a special vaccine: the course of taking drugs for human papillomavirus in men is three injections into the brachialis muscle and can minimize the risk of this disease. The injection must be administered after consultation with a specialist (this prevention is possible only in people not infected with HPV);
  • preventive visits to the urologist to check for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases and other possible problems with the genitourinary system, carrying out tests to identify the virus.

If characteristic formations are detected in the intimate area, as well as on other parts of the body, on the skin and mucous membranes, it is necessary to seek help from a specialist as quickly as possible. This will avoid complications and other undesirable consequences for men's health. In these cases, it is strongly not recommended to treat yourself, since only a specialist can correctly diagnose and prescribe the treatment of warts in men.

FAQ

What symptoms can papilloma cause in men?

Papilloma in men can appear as small warts or flat warts on the skin of the genitals, anus or near them. Itching, discomfort or slight pain in the affected area may also occur.

How is papilloma transmitted in men?

Papilloma in men is transmitted through contact with infected skin or the mucous membrane of the genital organs. It can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, as well as through direct contact with the affected area.

How can papilloma infection in men be prevented?

To prevent papilloma infection in men, it is recommended to use a condom during sexual intercourse. Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) can also reduce the risk of infection. Regular visits to the doctor and tests will also help identify the infection in its early stages and prevent its spread.

Useful tips

Tip number 1

Contact a dermatovenerologist for professional advice and diagnosis. Only an experienced specialist will be able to accurately determine whether the papilloma is dangerous and whether it requires removal.

Tip no. 2

Avoid injuring the papilloma. Don't try to remove it yourself, as this could cause infection and complications. If the papilloma is in an area of friction or injury (such as the neck or armpit), try using a soft bandage or tape to prevent damage.

Tip no. 3

Follow hygiene rules. Wash and dry the area around the papilloma regularly to prevent bacterial growth and infection. Avoid sharing hygiene items (such as towels or razors) with other people to avoid spreading the infection.