Most of the time, people do not suspect that they have the human papillomavirus (HPV) in their bodies. This is due to the fact that the papillomavirus is usually present in a latent form, suppressed by natural immunity. Problems arise when it gets out of control and begins to actively manifest itself in the form of growths on different parts of the body. Men are less likely to suffer the effects of the virus than women, however, for them, its effect can turn into serious problems in the form of papillomas on the penis.
Causes of occurrence
Viral DNA enters the body through microcracks in the skin or mucous membranes. If a man's immunity is weakened, the first manifestations of HPV will appear several months after infection.
Up to 80% of transmission occurs sexually. Barrier contraception minimizes the risk of infection, but does not eliminate it completely.
Other forms of infection:
- Home path.The virus is transmitted along with the personal belongings of an infected person: clothing, hygiene items, etc. The risk of transmission increases if the skin is damaged, even slight. This pathway is characterized by infection by low oncogenic virus types. They do not lead to serious health problems, but instead appear in the form of genital warts, papillomas and warts, creating a cosmetic defect.
- From mother to son.If the mother was infected with HPV during pregnancy and delivery and gave birth naturally, it is likely that the baby is infected.
If a man has a good immune defense, the virus does not manifest itself and can remain in the body for a long time in a latent form. Therefore, it is not the virus infection itself that is dangerous, but a weakening of the immune system, which leads to the activation of HPV.
There are several factors that affect the possibility of strengthening the position of the virus:
- chronic diseases;
- hormonal problems;
- incorrectly selected contraception or its complete absence;
- viral infections;
- alcohol, smoking, or long-term use of antibiotics;
- frequent stress.
All of these factors negatively affect the immune system. If in the life of a man there is not one provoking factor, but several, then this will lead to the more rapid development of the papillomavirus.
Symptoms
Often, papillomas appear only externally, however, in some cases,nonspecific symptoms may occur:
- itching and burning during intercourse;
- pain when touching papillomas;
- accumulation of urine in the folds of the penis;
- unpleasant odor in the affected area.
In addition, neoplasms can grow and affect not only the penis area, but also appear in the anus and pubis.
What papillomas look like
Penile papilloma is a small neoplasm. At first, it may appear alone, but without proper treatment, the number of papillomas increases. However, they can merge with each other.
These growths look like flesh-colored or pink cauliflower inflorescences. Most of the time they are located in the foreskin, the head and the frenulum. Less commonly, they are diagnosed in the urethra and scrotum. Papillomas can also appear as small white pimples that appear in long rows. This shape is typical for locating in the flange area.
One of the manifestations of HPV is Buschke-Levenshtein warts. It is distinguished by its rapid growth, outstanding size and resistance to various types of treatment. Its appearance is due to several existing papillomas and warts, which merge and form a large area of injury. The presence of Buschke-Levenshtein condyloma is dangerous because the cells modified by it can easily turn into cancer.
Which doctor to contact
As a general rule, a urologist deals with the diagnosis of papillomas in men. You can also seek the advice of a dermatovenerologist or proctologist if you have genital warts in the anal area. However, papillomas are usually referred to a surgeon for removal. In total, the diagnosis is carried out in several stages:
- The urologist examines and interviews the patient.Verbal questions are necessary to assess the patient's lifestyle and establish the cause of the virus infection. Visual inspection involves not only evaluating the condition of the penis, but also the adjacent organs - the scrotum, the anal area. This is necessary to complete the picture of the virus location.
- Urethral smear.Determines the presence of various sexually transmitted diseases.
- PCR.This test not only shows the presence of HPV in the body, but also probably determines its type.
- Meatoscopy.This procedure is an examination of the urethra if the papillomavirus has infected the frenulum.
- After the papilloma is removed, the doctor may order a biopsyto assess the status of the removed tumor. This is necessary to rule out the risk of developing cancer and to ensure that the papilloma is benign.
In this case, it is convenient to conduct a survey of both partners. Usually a woman is also infected with one of the types of papillomavirus. If only one man is treated, it is very likely that he will get sick again after a while.
Why papillomas are dangerous
The human papillomavirus is often accompanied by other related diseases. The appearance of papillomas in the glans area contributes to the accumulation of urine in the folds. This creates the conditions for the appearance and growth of various microorganisms, which subsequently leads to infections. They can lead to erosion around the papilloma and also contribute to inflammation of the urethra and testicles. These diseases are characterized by urination problems, pain, and a high fever.
Another danger is trauma from neoplasms, which causes bleeding. This is due to the fact that many blood vessels form around the papillomas, supplying them with blood. Even minor damage can lead to infection due to injury.
In addition, neoplasms can rub when they move, causing pain and discomfort to the man.
HPV and cancer
When the virus is just beginning to spread, neoplasms are sporadic and benign. Without treatment, they grow and merge with each other. Over time, the cells degenerate into malignant ones.The risk of cancer is especially high if a man is infected with highly oncogenic virus types - 16 or 18.They are those that contribute to the development of penile and bladder cancer.
Treatment of papillomas
Treatment of HPV involves not only eliminating its external manifestations, but also strengthening the immune system, which should block the manifestations of the virus.Immunostimulating drugs are used to maintain immunity.
As an antiviral medicine, an ointment that suppresses the multiplication of the virus and eliminates small growths is effective. It does not always cope with the task of complete removal, but it prevents the appearance of new growths. An antiviral ointment is prescribed to boost immunity. The ointment does not eliminate papillomas, but it promotes the activation of cells of the immune system, which stops their growth and development.
Removal methods
There are several ways to get rid of the new growths that have appeared:
- Laser removal.The papilloma is exposed to a laser beam, which completely burns the growth. In this place a scab forms, which disappears after a few weeks. The method is considered effective due to the absence of relapses. The extraction is done under anesthesia. No bleeding, no scars, no scars.
- Cryodestruction.Papillomas are exposed to liquid nitrogen. Instantly freezes the desired area, the neoplasm collapses and dies. The disadvantage of this method is the inability to control the depth of the cryodestruction effect. There is also a scab at the site of the removed papilloma, which disappears after a while.
- Radiosurgery.The principle of this method is similar to that of laser removal. Radio waves do not leave scars or scars, and the procedure is preceded by a preliminary anesthesia with a special spray. After that, there are no complications and the body recovers quickly.
- Electrocoagulation. Growth is affected by an electrical current, so the leg is removed, after which the papilloma disappears. Superficial anesthesia can be given if necessary. The procedure takes several minutes, is generalized, and affordable. But this method is capable of leaving scars after healing.
- Surgical intervention.It is used in rare cases when the tumor becomes too large. It is performed under anesthesia, has a long scarring and trauma. The method is good because it allows you to save the extracted growth for histological examination.
The cost of each method depends on the complexity of the work, the size and the number of papillomas to be removed.
Before choosing a method, consult your doctor. He will tell you what is better to use in your situation, he will tell you in detail how the procedure is performed. Also, after removal of the neoplasm, it is advisable to bring the material for histology. This is necessary to determine whether the process of degeneration from benign to malignant neoplasms has begun. This method will help detect early cell changes and prevent the spread of cancer.