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 affects the internal organs - the esophagus, bronchi, rectum, bladder. As a result of the activity of the virus, various forms of neoplasms form. Some of them are quite benign in nature and some carry the threat of cancerous tumors. In which cases does papilloma require special attention and removal? The article will tell about it.
The route 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 does not even know about his infection. The virus enters the human body through micro-damage to the skin or mucous membranes. For the development of an infectious process, a few viral particles are sufficient. The virus is able to maintain its viability in the environment. Therefore, self-infection is also possible during hygiene procedures and in everyday life (shaving, epilation, combing the skin, self-injections). Baths, swimming pools, gyms, etc. are considered to be the main public breeding grounds for the transmission of infection. Mass diseases have been registered among school children. A newborn can become a carrier of human papillomavirus infection as it passes through the mother's birth canal.
Types of HPV
Currently, scientists have identified about 180 types of HPV, among them 29 strains are considered oncogenic. 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, some strain of the human papillomavirus can be found in the blood of about 80% of the world's 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 without a trace from the body of some people, in others it stays dormant all 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 in virus carriers, a strong immune system is observed that suppresses the multiplication of a foreign agent. The particular 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 contributes to the regression of lesions. Spontaneous regression of papillomatosis occurs within six months. However, not everyone's body defenses are at such a high level, and then the latent HPV infection becomes an open (manifest) form. Papilloma is formed under the influence of factors such 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;
- immune deficiency conditions 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 provocative factor, it 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 airways, papilloma occurs in any area - from the nasopharynx to the lung parenchyma. But it most often attacks the lining of the larynx. The severity of the disease is determined by the presence of growths in the narrowest area, which contributes to respiratory obstruction, up to asphyxia. In adults, it is considered an obligatory precancer due to a high degree of malignancy (degeneration into a malignant tumor). The primary symptom of the disease is usually hoarseness, which then develops into a loss of voice tone. The patient is still able to speak in a whisper. In the first stage, the manifestation of respiratory papillomatosis is sometimes confused with acute laryngitis. Therefore, it is impossible to prescribe treatment without endoscopic examination. Various physiotherapy procedures on the larynx lead to rapid growth of papilloma.
Baby vorter
Warts are benign epidermal growths that are mainly encountered by children and adolescents. They develop on the face, hands, neck, which often causes their owners a lot of emotional problems. However, more than 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 very 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, overtime, lack of sleep, malnutrition, sensitive skin in babies, acne in adolescents.
Is it necessary to remove papillomas on the skin
Some neoplasms degenerate into malignant. This process cannot be overlooked if one is aware of oneself. It is necessary to sound the alarm if one of the symptoms is found:
- 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 darker;
- the inflammatory process ends, the skin flakes, cracks, exudate oozes;
- pain appears.
All of the above are indications for removal of growths. It is also worth resorting to a radical method of solving problems if the papilloma is located in places accessible for daily injury (on the neck, in the armpits, in the waist area, etc. ). Constant grazing and rubbing can start the oncological process and also contribute to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.
Methods for removal of neoplasms
Destructive methods of treating skin growth are divided into:
- chemical (trichloroacetic acid 80-90% and other drugs);
- physical (plasma coagulation, cryodestruction, laser therapy, electrosurgery).
If removal is expected in young or pregnant women, use only laser therapy. After destruction, the use of local antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs is indicated.
However, the most important method of eliminating papillomas in the larynx is endolaryngeal surgery under anesthesia using either micro-instruments or a surgical laser, after which stable remission is detected in only one-third of patients. In practice, a combined approach is used: additional cryodestruction is performed (with a local form of the disease), local antitumor drugs are prescribed. The most common is inhalation with a special solution.