Human papillomavirus (HPV) leads to growth of the epithelium of the skin, the mucous membrane of the anogenital region and the upper respiratory tract. Less often it affects the internal organs: the esophagus, bronchi, rectum and bladder. As a result of the activity of the virus, various forms of neoplasms are formed. Some of them are quite benign in nature, and some carry the threat of cancerous tumors. In what cases does the papilloma require special attention and removal? The article will tell about it.
The route of infection
Infection occurs after contact with a carrier of the virus, 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 you don't even know about your infection. The penetration of the virus into the human body occurs through microdamage to the skin or mucous membranes. For the development of an infectious process, individual viral particles are sufficient. The virus is able to maintain its viability in the environment. That is why autoinfection is also possible during hygiene procedures and in everyday life (shaving, hair removal, combing, self-injections). Bathrooms, swimming pools, gyms, etc. , are considered the main public breeding grounds for the transmission of infection, with massive illnesses among schoolchildren having been recorded. A newborn can become a carrier of human papillomavirus infection by passing through the mother's birth canal.
HPV types
Currently, scientists have identified around 180 types of HPV, including 29 strains 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),
- medium 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, one or another 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 from the body of some people without a trace, in others it remains for 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 special 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 all the body's defenses are at such a high level, and then the latent HPV infection turns into an open (manifest) form. Papilloma is formed under the influence of such factors as:
- promiscuous sex life, frequent change of partner;
- contact with a partner with a history of genital papillomatosis;
- the presence of concomitant sexually transmitted infections;
- immunodeficiency states in vitamin deficiency, atopic dermatitis, pregnancy, AIDS;
- frequent colds and SARS;
- hormonal contraception;
- Autoimmune diseases;
- smoking and alcohol.
Damaged or prone to inflammation skin becomes a powerful provoking 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 respiratory tract, papilloma occurs in any area, from the nasopharynx to the lung parenchyma. But more often it attacks the mucous membrane of the larynx. The severity of the disease is determined by the presence of growths in the narrowest zone, which contributes to respiratory obstruction, up to suffocation. In adults, it is considered as an obligate precancer due to a high degree of malignancy (degeneration into a malignant tumor). The main symptom of the disease is usually hoarseness, which then turns into a loss of sonority of the voice. 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 in the area of the larynx lead to the rapid growth of papilloma.
baby warts
Warts are benign epidermal growths found primarily in children and adolescents. They develop on the face, hands, neck, and often cause a lot of emotional problems for their owners. However, more than 70% of these types of papillomas disappear without a trace within 1. 5-2 years. Therefore, doctors resort to its removal only in extreme cases, because with the end of hormonal changes, it is quite possible that the body will cope with HPV infection on its own. Other risk factors in childhood are frequent stress associated with studying and passing exams, overwork, lack of sleep, malnutrition, delicate 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 attentive to 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 become blurred, additional growths and seals are formed);
- the color of the neoplasm changes towards darkening;
- the inflammatory process joins, the skin peels, cracks, exudate oozes;
- pain appears.
All of the above are indications for the removal of growths. It is also worth resorting to a radical method of solving problems if the papilloma is located in places accessible to daily injuries (on the neck, in the armpits, in the waist area, etc. ). Constant rubbing and rubbing can start the oncological process, and also contribute to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.
Methods for removing neoplasms.
Destructive methods of treatment of skin growths are divided into:
- chemical (trichloroacetic acid 80-90% and other drugs);
- physical (plasma coagulation, cryodestruction, laser therapy, electrosurgery).
If removal is expected in adolescents or pregnant women, only laser therapy is used. After destruction, the use of local antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs is indicated.
But the main method of removing papillomas from the larynx is endolaryngeal surgery under anesthesia with microinstruments or a surgical laser, after which stable remission is recorded only in a third of patients. In practice, a combined approach is used: additional cryodestruction is carried out (with a local form of the disease), local antitumor drugs are prescribed. The most common is inhalation with a special solution.