Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes growth of skin epithelium, anogenital mucosa and upper respiratory tract. Uncommonly affects the internal organs - esophagus, bronchi, rectum, bladder. Various forms of tumors develop as a result of the virus. Some are quite benign and some pose a cancer risk. In what cases does the papilloma need special attention and removal? The article will tell you about it.
Path of infection
The infection occurs after contact with a carrier of the virus, as well as with a sick person or animal. It is worth noting that the infected person may completely lack clinical manifestations of papillomatosis. He sometimes doesn't even know about his infection. The virus enters the human body through microbial damage to the skin or mucous membranes. Separate virus particles are sufficient for the development of the infection process. The virus is able to maintain its viability in the environment. Therefore, self-infection is also possible during hygiene procedures and on a daily basis (shaving, epilation, combing, self-injection). Baths, swimming pools, gyms, etc. are considered to be the main public places of infection. c. . Mass illnesses have been registered among students. The newborn can become a carrier of the human papillomavirus infection by passing through the mother's birth canal.
Types of HPV
Currently, scientists have identified about 180 types of HPV, of which 29 strains are considered to be oncogenic. Depending on their 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, one or the other strain of human papillomavirus is found in the blood of about 80% of the world's population. However, this does not mean that all people have papillomatosis. What factors provoke the development of the disease?
Immunity and papilloma
Why do some people get rid of the virus without a trace, others with lifelong consequences, and others with papillomas? HPV is an infection that can quite suppress the immune system. In healthy people and carriers of viruses, a strong immune system is inhibited, which inhibits the multiplication of a foreign agent. The special role of cellular immunity has been confirmed. This blocks the persistence of the virus at its level (the ability to remain active outside the acute phase for a long time) and, in some cases, facilitates regression of lesions. Spontaneous regression of papillomatosis occurs within six months. However, not everyone has such a high level of protection, and then latent HPV infection turns into an open (manifest) form. Papilloma is caused by factors such as:
- sloppy sex life, frequent change of partners;
- contact with a partner with a history of genital papillomatosis;
- the presence of co-occurring sexually transmitted infections;
- immunodeficiency conditions in case of vitamin deficiency, atopic dermatitis, pregnancy, AIDS;
- frequent colds and SARS;
- hormonal contraception;
- autoimmune diseases;
- smoking and alcohol.
Skin that is damaged or prone to inflammation becomes a strong provoking factor, ceasing to have a protective function. Therefore, people with inflammatory skin diseases (acne, rash), eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis are at risk.
Respiratory papillomatosis
Recurrent airway papillomatosis is the most common benign laryngeal tumor. Respiratory papilloma occurs in any area, from nasofarnex 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 part, which contributes to obstruction of breathing, up to asphyxiation. It is considered a mandatory pre-cancerous tumor in adults due to a high degree of malignancy (degeneration of the malignancy). The primary symptom of the disease is usually hoarseness, which then turns into loss of voice sonority. The patient is still able to speak in a whisper. In the first stage, the manifestation of airway papillomatosis is sometimes confused with acute laryngitis. Therefore, it is not possible to prescribe treatment without endoscopic examination. Various physiotherapy procedures in the laryngeal area cause rapid growth of papillomas.
Baby warts
Warts are benign epidermal formations that mainly affect children and adolescents. They develop on the face, hands, neck, often causing their owners a lot of emotional problems. However, more than 70% of this type of papilloma disappears without a trace in 1, 5 - 2 years. Therefore, doctors only remove them in extreme cases, because when the hormonal changes stop, it is quite possible that the body will cope with the HPV infection on its own. Additional risk factors in childhood include frequent stress related to study and examinations, excessive work, lack of sleep, malnutrition, delicate skin of infants, pimples in adolescents.
Is it necessary to remove papillomas on the skin
Some neoplasms become malignant. This process cannot be overlooked if one is attentive to oneself. An audible signal is required if any of the following symptoms are detected:
- papillomas change in size and configuration (it grows rapidly, the edges are blurred, additional growths and seals are formed);
- the color of the neoplasm changes to darker;
- inflammatory process joins, skin flakes, cracks, exudate is released;
- pain appears.
All of the above are indications of growth elimination. It is also worthwhile to resort to a radical problem-solving method if the papilloma is located in places accessible to daily injuries (neck, armpits, waist area, etc. ). Continuous grazing and rubbing can initiate the oncological process and promote the entry of pathogenic microorganisms.
Neoplasm removal methods
Treatment methods for destructive skin formations are divided into:
- chemical (trichloroacetic acid 80-90% and other drugs);
- physical (plasma coagulation, cryodestruction, laser therapy, electrosurgery).
If removal is planned for adolescents or pregnant women, then only laser therapy is used. The use of topical antiviral and immunomodulatory agents has been reported after disposal.
But the main method of removing laryngeal papillomas is endolaryngeal surgery under anesthesia, using either micro-instruments or a surgical laser, after which stable remission is recorded in only a third of patients. In practice, a combined approach is used: additional cryodestruction (with a local form of the disease) is given, and local anticancer drugs are prescribed. The most common is inhalation with a special solution.