Keramin Official site
Share this

What are papillomas?

A fairly large part of neoplasms on the human skin is caused by the action of the human papillomavirus (HPV). At the same time, papillomas are one of the most common. The virus not only causes the appearance of this neoplasm, but also gave it its name. But not all patients today know what a papilloma is. If you are one of these people or just want to know more about this neoplasm, then this article is for you. In it, we will talk about papillomas: what they are, what symptoms they have, why they arise and how they are treated

laser removal of papillomas

Papillomas: what is it

Papillomas are small neoplasms that have either the same color as healthy skin or are slightly different from it. Neoplasms can appear individually or in the form of multiple rashes. Depending on the species, they can be flat, on a peduncle, in the form of elongated papillae. These neoplasms can be found almost anywhere: genitals, face, neck, armpits, limbs, etc.

It is also worth noting that papillomas are benign neoplasms. That is, they do not belong to oncological tumors. However, doctors do not recommend leaving them as they are.

Papillomas usually do not hurt, but in some cases they may itch, peel, cause slight tingling and/or redness. If the papilloma is in the intimate area, it can cause discomfort when moving.

Types of papillomas

The five most common types of papillomas are:

  1. Simple. It looks like either rooster's comb or cauliflower.
  2. Flat. Such a neoplasm is a flat nodule located on the surface of the skin. It can also form in the cervix.
  3. Filiform. They are most often found on thin skin and represent elongated nodules. It is usually found in people over 50 years of age.
  4. Pointed. Or warts. It is sexually transmitted, so it is most often formed in the genital area. They can appear one at a time or several at once. In this case, they can merge into a large papilloma. They also differ in that they are formed not only on the surface of the genital organs, but can also grow inside the urethra or in the cervix.
papilloma on the head

Why papilloma appears

As we wrote above, the main reason for the appearance of papillomas is the activity of the human papillomavirus. It is worth noting that according to the WHO, today about four out of five people (or even more) are infected with the papilloma virus. This is due to several reasons:

  1. The virus is very durable. Once infected, it is almost impossible to get rid of it.
  2. The virus is easily transmitted. Sometimes even one use of the toilet seat or towel is enough to get infected. And unprotected sex has an almost 100% chance of infection.
  3. The virus is congenital. Very often, the virus is transmitted from mother to newborn, so many people are born with already acquired papillomavirus.

In general, although our immunity does not destroy the virus, it can suppress it well. Therefore, neoplasms do not appear in all infected persons. But if the immune system weakens, then a papilloma (or other neoplasm caused by HPV) may appear. There are other factors that can favor the formation of papillomas:

  1. Stress and emotional stress.
  2. Older years.
  3. Alcohol abuse, smoking.
  4. Excessive physical activity.
  5. Lack of vitamins in the body.
  6. some other diseases. For example, endocrine diseases.
  7. Taking certain medications (oral contraceptives, immunosuppressants).
  8. Promiscuous sex life.

After the virus enters the body, external manifestations of papilloma do not appear immediately. What does it depend on? From the state of immunity and the duration of the incubation period (from several weeks to several years). Therefore, with a good state of immune protection, the first manifestations can appear even after a year. In this case, a person can be infected with several strains of HPV at once (there are about 170 of them).

treatment of papilloma

Of course, not everyone knows what papillomas are and how to treat them. And some even believe that it is not necessary to treat them, because these neoplasms are benign. Doctors have a different opinion on this issue: papillomas should be treated and it is preferable not to delay treatment. Why then should this benign neoplasm be treated? First, a papilloma can transform into a malignant neoplasm. Especially under the influence of certain factors. For example, due to intense ultraviolet radiation, injuries, inflammation. Secondly, the neoplasm negatively affects the female reproductive function. If the woman is not treated and becomes pregnant, then the virus will most likely be transmitted to the newborn. Third, a papilloma located in the throat or trachea can make breathing difficult or even cause suffocation. Fourth, as already mentioned, the papillomavirus is quite easily transmitted, and therefore an untreated neoplasm can be very contagious. Fifth, neoplasms can cause aesthetic discomfort.

Types of papilloma treatment

It should be noted right away that you cannot resort to self-medication. Only a specialist with medical education knows exactly how to diagnose papillomas, what they are and how to treat them. At the same time, it should be remembered that when removing any neoplasm, it is recommended to send the excised tissue for histological examination.

Speaking of treatment, today you can choose several ways to remove the neoplasm.

  1. Surgical removal. The operation is performed under local anesthesia. The neoplasm is removed with a scalpel along with the adjacent healthy tissue. This is why the healing process can take a long time. In addition, there is a high probability of scarring at the excision site. For these reasons, this procedure is currently performed quite rarely. Mainly in cases when other methods fail or when the neoplasm is too big.
  2. Cryodestruction. This is the name of the procedure for exposing tissues to ultra-low temperatures. Most often, the procedure is carried out using liquid nitrogen, which has a temperature of -196 ° C. As a result, the water in the cells at the point of exposure is frozen, and the neoplasms die. Disadvantages include low efficiency (about 60%), because with insufficient freezing the neoplasm will not receive enough damage. And with excessive - healthy tissue will be damaged.
  3. Electrocoagulation. This is the name of the procedure for cauterizing neoplasm tissue with electric current. The disadvantages include the painfulness of the procedure and the likelihood of scarring on the skin at the site of exposure. But the efficiency is quite high: about 95%.
  4. Laser removal of neoplasm. The essence of the procedure is the action of the laser beam on the tissue. As a result, the neoplasm evaporates layer by layer. Adjustable power allows papilloma removal with almost 100% efficiency. And high accuracy allows you to rule out damage to healthy tissues. Today, many experts believe that laser removal is one of the most effective ways to remove papillomas. After the procedure, there are practically no scars, a long recovery period is not required, and since an application anesthetic is applied before the session, the procedure is quite pleasant for the patient.

In the clinic, laser papilloma removal is performed with modern devices. No preparation is required for laser removal. But you will need to make an appointment with a laser therapist. During the appointment, the doctor will tell you what papillomas are and how the session will take place. The patient will also be examined for contraindications.

The procedure itself takes place quite quickly: a few minutes are enough for individual neoplasms, 15-20 for more. After the procedure, the specialist will tell you about proper care. According to general instructions, during the first two weeks it is impossible to sunbathe, go to the bathroom and sauna. You will also need to take care of the treated area.

Do not forget about the contraindications for the procedure. Laser removal of papillomas is not performed in the presence of any complaints, lesions of the central nervous system and bleeding.