Papillomas are bulging formations that appear on the skin and mucous membranes of a person. In reality, they are not a disease, but serve only as an external manifestation of the body's infection with HPV, the human papillomavirus.
Papillomavirus exists in many different strains, some of which are dangerous because neoplasms have the property of malignant transformation, that is, they can turn into malignant tumors.
The reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the penis
Papillomas are benign formations on the skin or mucous membranes that are warty in nature.
The human papillomavirus is transmitted in several ways, from a sick person to a healthy person. The main method is sexual, with unprotected intercourse. But you can "catch" the virus domestically, by coming into contact with a carrier, if there are integrity defects in the body or mucous membranes, through blood and other fluids infected with the virus.
It is quite difficult to completely "kill" a virus that has already entered the body, but in about 90% of cases there is an independent cure, that is, the immune system itself "kills" the virus. However, in some cases, the disease becomes recurrent and can last for many years.
Strains with the potential for malignancy represent a particular danger, that is, the transformation of a neoplasm into a malignant one.
HPV has a long incubation period, with strong immunity, it can last from a month to a year.
But once the immune system is weakened, it will take its toll immediately. Symptoms of its presence are formations on the body and mucous membranes, which can be round, oval or oblong in shape and of various sizes, from a few millimeters to a couple of centimeters.
Medicine knows more than 600 strains of the virus, of which more than 40 are capable of causing neoplasms in the genital and anal regions in men and women. They are the ones that cause papillomas on the penis, which are known as genital warts.
Some of the papillomas are harmless to human health, others are capable of provoking an annoying cosmetic defect - warts, and still others threaten the body with the most dangerous disease - cancer. There is medical evidence that cervical and breast cancers develop with infection with certain strains of HPV.
If a virus that can cause papillomas on the genitals enters the body, then the main route of its entry is considered sexual. Promiscuous relationships, bisexual and homosexual contacts are especially dangerous. But the virus may well be congenital: the fetus becomes infected by passing through the birth canal of an infected mother. There is also the risk of infection in skin lesions when visiting the swimming pool, public baths, bath, sauna, gym, while waxing or shaving.
Signs and symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms depend on the location, number and size of the papillomas.
Most often, papillomas on the penis affect the head of the organ, "settle" along the foreskin, form colonies on the bridle, and can even penetrate the urethra.
With a strong proliferation of papillomas that take the form of "cauliflower", during intercourse, urination can be injured, painful and even bleed.
Since it is a viral disease, the period of activation of the growth of papillomas is accompanied by a sharp decrease in immunity. A person feels weak, lethargic, his body temperature can rise, often remaining at subfebrile levels (37 - 37, 5 ° C). Since immunity is lowered, an infected person can easily catch a cold and "catch" ARVI and ARI.
The proliferation of papillomas can cause phimosis, a narrowing of the foreskin.
Due to this condition, a special lubricant accumulates on the head of the penis - smegma. Their infection can lead to the development of a dangerous disease, therefore, if even single papillomas are found, it is urgent to consult a doctor. Individual neoplasms can be removed very quickly and almost painlessly, preventing their growth and a high risk of degeneration into a malignant tumor.
Necessary tests and exams
The doctor visually determines the presence of papilloma, but further studies are needed to clarify the strain and degree of risk to the patient. The patient donates blood for PCR typing, a Digene screening test, and is screened for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases, since in the vast majority of cases HPV is "clustered" with STDs.
If there is a suspicion of penetration of papillomas into the urethra, a urethroscopy is performed. The doctor may prescribe a biopsy if the growth is too large or if doctors suspect that the formation has started to degenerate into a cancerous tumor.
Methods for the treatment and removal of papillomas.
It is impossible to completely remove the human papillomavirus from the body of the infected person, sometimes it remains in it until the end of the patient's life. Medications to fight HPV are the use of antiviral and immunomodulatory medications that stimulate the activity of a person's own immunity.
Basically, the actions of doctors are aimed at eliminating external signs of the presence of a virus, that is, the papillomas, warts and genital warts themselves.
Only in the case of cancerous degeneration is complex treatment applied, including surgery and the use of chemotherapy to eliminate the threat of tumor spread.
To remove papillomas on the penis, the following treatment methods are used:
- Surgical removal.
- Electrocoagulation.
- Laser formation removal (neodymium or carbon dioxide).
- Cryodestruction: destruction of a neoplasm with liquid nitrogen. Cryodestruction can be applied or aerosolized.
- Cauterization with chemicals.
In most cases, the use of these methods is sufficient to remove the papilloma and prevent its reappearance.
The method of treatment is chosen by the doctor based on the degree of damage, the type of neoplasm, the patient's state of health and her age.
There is a specialized vaccine that is used in women to prevent the most dangerous disease: squamous cell carcinoma or cervical cancer. It has been proven that it is caused by one of the dangerous strains of the human papillomavirus, since in the absence of HPV in the body, this type of cancer does not occur.
Unfortunately, today there is no vaccine that can prevent infection with other types of human papillomavirus, including those that cause growths on male intimate organs. The only effective form of protection remains the use of condoms during sexual intercourse, as well as the observance of personal hygiene, a cautious attitude against possible infection in public places.
Prognosis and possible complications
Doctors concluded that in 90% of all cases of HPV infection, if a person has strong immunity, the body independently copes with the virus within 24 months. But this observation applies only to certain strains of the human papillomavirus, which are not capable of causing the development of cancer.
The most dangerous complication must be considered malignant, that is, the transformation of the papilloma into cancer. But only a fraction of HPV strains have such properties. The sad consequences can be prevented with early access to medical help and a timely diagnosis.
In rare cases, after removal of the papilloma, neoplasms may form in and around the scar tissue, if the virus is actively multiplying in the patient's body due to weakened immunity. In such a situation, repeated removal of papillomas and comprehensive strengthening of the patient's immunity will be required to prevent further growth of formations.
In most cases, the prognosis is positive if the disease is not too advanced. But this rarely happens with genital warts, since their development causes great discomfort to the man, and he quickly turns to doctors.