There can be a large number of diseases caused by the human papillomavirus. 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, localizing to the external genitalia.
A papilloma is a benign, usually small, cauliflower-like tumor. This oncological process develops from flat epithelial cells. The tumor rises above the skin and may be both flesh colored and a few others (white, dark brown, etc. ). The causative agent of all variants of oncology is the human papillomavirus.
HPV is a DNA-containing virus and has a tropism for epithelial tissues, so it only affects the skin and mucous membranes of the human body. The pathogen does not have a shell, but it is very resistant to environmental conditions. HPV is a large group of viruses, which are subdivided into:
- Types with minimal risk of malignancy;
- Types with medium risk of malignancy (special conditions required);
- The type at high risk of malignant transformation.
Papillomas of the glans penis are considered a precancerous condition, that is, they belong to the latter group of viruses. Therefore, at the first signs of the appearance of pathology, you need to consult a doctor and begin treatment. If the malignancy process has already started, then treatment becomes very difficult.
Reasons for the appearance
For the appearance of papillomas on the penis in men, direct contact with an infected person is necessary. Microscopic or obvious lesions of the skin are considered a particularly important predisposing factor. The main route of transmission of the disease 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 sexual intercourse, the head of the penis is affected, during oral-genital contact - the mucous membrane of the mouth and pharynx, during anal - the anus and rectum.
If a man has HPV elsewhere, then during shaving and other manipulations associated with injury, papillomas may appear on the skin of the penis. The domestic route of infection is also possible, which is associated with the high resistance of the virus to environmental conditions. Baths and saunas are particularly dangerous.
Factors predisposing to the manifestation of the disease:
- Decreased immune strength of the body;
- Prolonged stress;
- The presence of chronic diseases;
- Excessive ultraviolet radiation;
- Take certain medications.
Clinical picture
The incubation period of papilloma on the skin of the penis is about 8-12 weeks, but it can vary greatly, since the clinical picture mainly depends on the degree of protection of the body.
Despite the fact that HPV most often causes harmless pathologies that do not bother patients, the types of viruses that cause papillomas to appear in the penile region are highly oncogenic. That is, the appearance of neoplasms can be considered the first stage of the cancer process.
Papillomas of the penis look like small, flesh-colored neoplasms, single or multiple, not accompanied by subjective symptoms. Sometimes they can look like cauliflower, sometimes they are a swelling on the stem. In the absence of adequate treatment, the disease progresses and the following stages are distinguished in it:
- Phimosis (narrowing of the leaves of the foreskin, which makes it impossible to remove the glans from the penis);
- The accumulation of smegma and, as a result, the development of the infectious process (due to the narrowing, it is difficult to clean the space between the head and the leaves of the foreskin);
- Inflammation of the head of the penis and both leaves of the foreskin (local signs are expressed in the form of edema, redness, purulent discharge);
- Erosive defects on the head of the penis and the foreskin (this condition is defined as the first stage of cancer).
Treatment of papillomas on the penis should be immediate and radical in order to avoid dangerous complications that can lead to significant disruption of life and even death.
Diagnostic
Removal of papillomas on the penis can only be planned after the diagnosis is definitively established. The main diagnostic measures of this disease:
- Assessment of complaints, medical history and clinical picture. The presence of unprotected sex is clarified, the affected area is examined for the presence of flesh-colored growths resembling cauliflower. It is also possible to detect such formations on the mucous membranes of the mouth, around the anus and on other external genitalia, except the penis.
- Polymerase chain reaction. This technique is difficult to implement, but more than 95% effective, which is why it is considered the gold standard. With the help of PCR, it is possible to detect the DNA of the virus in the human body, as well as to accurately determine its type.
- Cytological studies. Using different techniques, anti-HPV antibodies are detected, which makes it possible to judge the presence of an infection.
Treatment of papillomas of the penis is carried out immediately after the exact determination of the type of HPV and the stage of development of the disease.
How to get rid of papillomas on the penis?
There is no effective type of conservative treatment for this infection. The only possible action is the radical removal of papillomas on the penis. Different techniques are used for therapy:
- Laser removal;
- cryosurgery;
- Radio wave method (the most optimal option, leaving no cosmetic defects, painless);
- Open surgery;
- Cauterization (chemical agents are used).
Medicines can be used in addition to radical therapy. Basically, preference is given to cytostatic drugs. In addition, antiviral drugs are prescribed to reduce the risk of relapse.
During the treatment period, sexual intercourse should be avoided 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.
Prophylaxis
Preventive measures mainly consist in the introduction of a protected sex life with a proven partner. You should be very careful when visiting public baths and saunas, and avoid contact with a person's neoplasms, especially if there is a microtrauma.
To prevent the development of complications, you need to visit a doctor in a timely manner and follow all his appointments and recommendations.
Curing the symptoms of the disease, unfortunately, does not guarantee the patient's full recovery (that is, if the papilloma of the penis is removed, it still will not work to remove the virus from the body), so aman should carefully monitor his condition, note the slightest changes and consult a doctor. The carrier of HPV must maintain a high level of immunity so that clinical manifestations (relapses) do not recur.