In this article, we'll cover the following:
- what are papillomas;
- what is the reason for their formation.
- where they are more common in males and females;
- typical papillomas.
Papillomas are benign neoplasms located on the skin, mucous membranes. The reason for their formation is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted in various ways. The appearance of the formations depends on the type of virus that caused them.
Transmission paths
Human papillomavirus is transmitted by:
- During intercourse, including anal, orogenital.
- Household. The microorganism can exist on personal effects, personal hygiene items, infected towels. It easily penetrates through scratches, abrasions on the skin.
- During labor from mother to child.
Possibly self-infection if the virus is transferred from one area of the body to another, which usually happens during shaving, waxing.
The incubation period (the period from the entry of HPV into the body to the appearance of signs of pathology) ranges from several weeks to several years.
Papillomas on the body appear most often in illness, pregnancy, alcohol abuse, psycho-emotional stress, hypothermia, accompanied by a decrease in immune defenses. The incidence of these formations in men and women is the same.
Human papillomavirus: types
Depending on the risk of oncological pathology of the skin, mucous papillomaviruses belong to the following groups:
- Low oncogenic risk (HPV types 3, 6, 11, 13, 32, 34, 72, 73, 40–44, 51, 61).
- Medium oncogenic risk (HPV types 52, 56, 58, 30, 35, 45).
- High risk of developing malignant processes (HPV types 50, 59, 16, 18, 64, 68, 70, 31, 33, 39).
Low-risk cancer microorganisms cause benign growths in the skin and mucous membranes.
Types of papillomas
Simple
They are also called vulgar, ordinary. These growths are more often caused by HPV types 26-29, 77, 63, 41.
A tingling and burning sensation appears in any part of the body. Later, the growth of a spherical formation is noted, the surface of which gradually becomes rough. At first, the tumor is flesh-colored, then darkens. The size of the papilloma on the body is 1 mm at cm
These neoplasms are unique, multiple. In the latter case, the small daughter papillomas are located around the mother, formed first, usually the largest of all.
Their location is the back of the hands, the fingers, the spaces between them, the chin area, the edges of the lips. There are such papillomas on the neck. Child's knees are affected, as children often crawl, get infected with small lesions on the skin.
Plantar
People with these formations are infected with HPV types 1, 2, 4. The growths are similar to dry calluses, but have a number of characteristic differences.
The skin pattern is preserved on the calluses, absent on the surface of the papillomas, the latter are smooth. The formation caused by the papillomavirus is painful, the unpleasant sensations are intensified when wearing compression shoes. Inside the papilloma, black dots are visible, absent in the calluses.
Neoplasms sometimes destroy themselves, which is more common in children. Sometimes small bubbles are visible around the neoplasm. These develop into new papillomas over time.
Flat papillomas
Round, elongated and oval shaped growths rise above the level of the skin by 1 to 2 millimeters. Flat papillomas are located around the mouth, on the face, and in the upper half of the body. Sometimes papillomas form on the neck.
There are data on papillomas on the lips, cervix in girls, penis in men, in the rectum, near the anus. These formations are located in groups, merge with each other. Flat, flesh-colored papillomas, sometimes slightly darker than the rest of the skin, form under the influence of 10, 49, 28 varieties of papillomavirus.
Threaded
If people notice that small papillomas have appeared on the neck, the growths are most often threadlike. The second name of the formations isacrochordus. These are caused by 2, 7 types of HPV.
At the initial stage, the papillomas on the neck look like small yellowish seals, then the growths stretch, become rough, acquire an elongated, round, threadlike shape. A distinguishing feature of a similar papilloma on the neck is a thin leg.
Most often, the skin tag forms in men and women over 40. Growths also occur on the skin of the upper eyelids, armpits, mammary glands, in the intimate area.
Pointed
Training data is calledwarts,are caused by the 6, 11, 44, 42, 54, 51, 55, 89 types of human papillomavirus in women andmen.
Condylomas are small, single, multiple flesh-colored growths located on the female and male genitals around the anus. There are papillomas in the vagina, labia minora, cervix. In humans, condylomas are located on the foreskin, the head of the penis, inside the urethra.
Separate elements sometimes merge together, a tumor-like formation appears, externally resembling a rooster's comb, cauliflower. Neoplasms are characterized by very rapid growth, a large lesion can form within a few hours.
The pathology has a recurring course. It is more severe with concomitant sexually transmitted infections of the urogenital tract (eg, chlamydia, gonorrhea, mycoplasmosis).
Condylomas that form on the cervix, especially inside the cervical canal, are the most dangerous during pregnancy. Hormonal changes stimulate rapid growth, followed by tissue breakdown and secondary infections.
Papillomas in the mouth, larynx
Their appearance is associated with the activity of papillomaviruses of 6, 7, 11, 72, 73, 57, 32 types. The formations are rounded formations on a thin or wide base. The mucous membrane around them is pale pink, without any visible pathological changes. The surface of the growths is pale pink, whitish.
Neoplasms are unique, multiple, painless when squeezed. They are located on the bottom of the oral cavity, the back of the tongue, the hard and soft palate, the laryngeal mucosa, the size varies from 2 mm to 2 cm.
Overgrowth of mucous membrane of mouth bleeds if bitten, darkens as a result of rush of blood. The state of health in the presence of such a disease does not deteriorate, the oral cavity opens freely.
When in an adult, single growths are located on the soft palate, tonsils, in the glottis, there is a feeling of the presence of a foreign body, coughing, the voice becomes hoarse. If the lesions become multiple, these symptoms are exacerbated.
In children, pathological growths are often bilateral, their appearance is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing, exhaling, occurring after physical exertion, then at complete rest.
- Cough after running, playing too much.
- Suffocating attacks withstenosisof the larynx (pathological narrowing that prevents air from entering the lower respiratory tract).
The appearance of different external papillomas is associated with infection with various types of HPV. To remove neoplasms, you need to see a doctor. This should be done as soon as possible if the papillomas are multiple, rapidly increase in size, cause discomfort, and are constantly injured.