There can be a huge number of diseases caused by the human papilloma virus. In addition, several types of this pathogen can cause the same pathology. The papilloma virus on the penis usually affects the mucous membranes and skin of the male body by localizing to the external genitalia.
Papilloma is a benign tumor, usually small in size, reminiscent of cauliflower. This oncological process develops from flat epithelial cells. The tumor rises above the skin and may have a flesh color or some other (white, dark brown, etc. ). The cause of all oncology variants is the human papilloma virus.
HPV is a DNA-containing virus that has a tropism against epithelial tissue, so it only affects the skin and the mucous membranes of the human body. The pathogenic agent does not have a coating, but it is very resistant to environmental conditions. HPV is a huge group of viruses that are divided into:
- Types with minimal risk of malignancy;
- Types with moderate risk of malignancy (special conditions required);
- A type with a high risk of malignant transformations.
Papillomas on the penis are considered to be a precancerous condition, that is, they belong to the last group of viruses. Therefore, at the first sign of the pathology, you should consult a doctor and start treatment. If the process of malignancy has already begun, then the treatment becomes very complicated.
Reasons for consideration
For papillomas to appear on the penis in men, direct contact with an infected person is required. Microscopic or obvious skin lesions are considered to be a particularly important predisposing factor. The main route of transmission is sexual. In addition, not only people with papillomas with a clear clinical picture are infected, but also latent carriers of the virus. During traditional intercourse, the head of the penis is affected, during contact with the mouth and genitals - the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, anal - during the anus and rectum.
If a man has HPV elsewhere, papillomas may appear on the skin of the penis during shaving and other manipulations associated with injuries. A pathway of household infection is also possible due to the high resistance of the virus to environmental conditions. Baths and saunas are especially dangerous.
Predictive factors for the manifestation of the disease:
- Decreased immune system of the body;
- Prolonged stress;
- Presence of chronic diseases;
- Excessive ultraviolet radiation;
- Taking certain medicines.
Clinical picture
The incubation period for papilloma on the skin of the penis is about 8-12 weeks, but this can vary considerably, as the clinical picture depends mainly on the degree of protection of the body.
Although HPV is the most common cause of harmless pathologies that do not cause inconvenience to patients, the types of viruses that cause papillomas in the penis are highly oncogenic. That is, the appearance of neoplasms can be considered the first stage of the cancer process.
Papillomas on the penis look like small body-colored neoplasms, one or more with no subjective symptoms. Sometimes they can resemble cauliflower, sometimes they have swelling on the stalk. In the absence of appropriate treatment, the disease progresses and the following stages are distinguished:
- Phimosis (narrowing of the foreskin sheets, which makes it impossible to remove the penis);
- Accumulation of heaviness and, consequently, development of the infection process (due to narrowing, it is difficult to clean the area between the head and the foreskin leaves);
- Inflammation of the head of the penis and both sheets of the foreskin (local signs such as swelling, redness, purulent discharge);
- Erosive defects on the head and foreskin of the penis (this condition is defined as the first stage of cancer).
Treatment of papillomas on the penis must be immediate and radical to avoid dangerous complications that can lead to significant disruption to life and even death.
Diagnostics
Removal of papillomas on the penis can only be planned after the final diagnosis. The main diagnostic measures of this disease:
- Evaluation of complaints, medical history and clinical picture. The presence of unprotected sexual intercourse is detected, and the affected area is inspected for flesh-colored growth resembling cauliflower. Such formations can also be detected on the oral mucosa, around the anus and on other external genitalia other than the penis.
- Polymerase chain reaction. This technique is difficult to implement, but it is more than 95% effective, so it is considered the gold standard. With the help of PCR it is possible to determine the viral DNA in the human body, as well as to determine its exact type.
- Cytological research. Antibodies to HPV are detected using a variety of methods to judge the presence of infection.
Treatment of penile papillomas is performed immediately after accurate HPV typing and disease stage.
How to get rid of papillomas on the penis?
There are no effective conservative treatments for this infection. The only possible action is to radically remove the papillomas on the penis. Different methods are used for therapy:
- Laser removal;
- Cryosurgery;
- Radio wave method (optimal option without leaving any cosmetic defects, painless);
- Open operation;
- Cauterization (chemicals are used).
In addition to radical therapy, medication can be used. Basically, cytostatic drugs are preferred. In addition, antiviral drugs are prescribed to reduce the risk of relapse.
Sexual intercourse should be avoided during treatment to prevent the spread of infection. It is also recommended that all of the patient's sexual partners be tested for the presence of HPV.
Prevention
Preventive measures mainly involve the introduction of a protected sex life with one tested partner. You must be very careful when visiting public baths and saunas, and avoid contact with any human neoplasms, especially in the presence of microtraumas.
To prevent complications from developing, you should consult your doctor in good time and follow all his appointments and recommendations.
Unfortunately, treating the symptoms of the disease does not guarantee the patient's complete recovery (that is, if the papilloma on the penis is removed, the removal of the virus from the body will still not work), so the man is closely monitored for minor changes and a doctor. The HPV carrier must maintain a high level of immunity to prevent recurrence of clinical manifestations (relapses).