The human papillomavirus (HPV) leads to the growth of the epithelium of the skin, the mucosa of the anogenital region and the upper respiratory tract. Less often affects the internal organs - esophagus, bronchi, rectum, bladder. As a result of the activity of the virus, various forms of neoplasms are formed. Some of them are quite benign in nature, others carry the risk of cancerous tumors. In what cases does the papilloma require special attention and removal? The article will tell about it.
The path of infection
Infection occurs after contact with a virus carrier, as well as with a sick person or animal. It is worth noting that an infected person can completely lack clinical manifestations of papillomatosis. Sometimes he doesn't even know he's infected. The virus enters the human body through micro-damage to the skin or mucous membranes. Single virus particles are enough for the development of an infectious process. The virus is able to maintain its viability in the environment. Self-infection is therefore also possible during hygiene measures and in everyday life (shaving, epilating, combing the skin, self-injections). Baths, swimming pools, gymnasiums, etc. are considered the main public breeding grounds for the transmission of infections, and mass illnesses have been found among school children. A newborn can become a carrier of human papillomavirus infection when passing through the mother's birth canal.
Types of HPV
Currently, scientists have identified about 180 HPV types, 29 strains of which are considered oncogenic. Depending on the oncogenic potential, they are divided into viruses:
- low oncoactivity (types 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70, 72, 81),
- average level of oncoactivity (types 26, 31, 33, 35, 51, 52, 53, 58, 66)
- high level of oncoactivity (16, 18, 39, 45, 56, 59, 68, 73, 82).
According to the latest data, one or another strain of 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 in some people without a trace, in others it lingers 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, which suppresses the reproduction of a foreign pathogen. 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, the body's defenses are not so high in everyone and then the latent HPV infection turns into an overt (manifest) form. Papilloma develops under the influence of such factors as:
- promiscuous sex life, frequent change of partners;
- contact with a partner with a history of genital papillomatosis;
- the presence of simultaneous sexually transmitted infections;
- Immune deficiency states with vitamin deficiency, neurodermatitis, pregnancy, AIDS;
- frequent colds and SARS;
- hormonal contraception;
- autoimmune diseases;
- smoking and alcohol.
Damaged skin or skin prone to inflammation becomes a strong provoking factor, it no longer performs 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 pulmonary parenchyma. However, it most commonly attacks the mucous membrane of the larynx. The severity of the disease is determined by the presence of growths in the narrowest area, which contribute to respiratory obstruction, up to and including asphyxiation. In adults, it is considered an obligatory precancerous stage due to a high degree of malignancy (degeneration into a malignant tumor). The primary symptom of the disease is usually hoarseness, which then develops into a loss of sonority in the voice. The patient can continue to whisper. At the first stage, the manifestation of respiratory papillomatosis is sometimes confused with acute laryngitis. Therefore, it is impossible to prescribe treatment without an endoscopic examination. Various physiotherapeutic interventions in the larynx area lead to the rapid growth of papillomas.
baby warts
Warts are benign epidermal growths that mostly occur in children and adolescents. Developing on the face, hands and neck, they often cause many emotional problems to their owners. However, more than 70% of these papillomas disappear without a trace within 1. 5 - 2 years. Therefore, doctors resort to their removal only in extreme cases, because with the end of hormonal changes, it is quite possible that the body can cope with HPV infection on its own. Other risk factors in childhood are more frequent study and exam stress, 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 ones. This process cannot be overlooked if one pays attention to oneself. It is necessary to raise the alarm when one of the symptoms is found:
- Papilloma changes in size and configuration (it grows rapidly, the edges are blurred, additional growths and seals are formed);
- the color of the neoplasm changes towards darkening;
- the inflammatory process joins, the skin flakes, tears, the exudate oozes out;
- pain appears.
All these are indications for the removal of growths. It is also worth resorting to a radical problem-solving method if the papilloma is located in places accessible to daily injuries (on the neck, in the armpits, in the waist area, etc. ). Constant grazing and rubbing can start the oncological process, and also contribute to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.
Methods for removing neoplasms
Destructive methods of treating skin growths are divided into:
- chemical (trichloroacetic acid 80-90% and other drugs);
- physical (plasma coagulation, cryodestruction, laser therapy, electrosurgery).
If removal is to be expected in adolescents or pregnant women, only laser therapy is used. After destruction, the use of local antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs is indicated.
However, the main method of eliminating papillomas of the larynx is endolaryngeal surgery under anesthesia using microinstruments or a surgical laser, after which stable remission is noted in only a third of patients. In practice, a combined approach is used: additional cryodestruction is performed (with a local form of the disease), local antitumor drugs are prescribed. The most common is inhalation with a special solution.