The human papilloma virus (HPV) leads to the growth of the epithelium of the skin, mucous membranes of the anogenital region and the upper respiratory tract. Less often affects the internal organs - the esophagus, bronchi, rectum, bladder. Due to the activity of the virus, various forms of neoplasms are formed. Some of them are quite benign in nature, and some carry the threat of cancerous growths. When does papilloma require special attention and removal? The article will tell about it.
The route of infection
Infection occurs after contact with a carrier of the virus, as well as with a sick person or animal. It should be noted that an infected person may be completely devoid of clinical manifestations of papillomatosis. Sometimes he doesn't even know he's infected. Penetration of the virus into the human body occurs through microdamage to the skin or mucous membranes. For the development of an infectious process, single virus particles are enough. The virus is able to maintain its viability in the environment. This is why auto-infection is also possible during hygiene practices and in everyday life (shaving, waxing, combing the skin, self-injections). Baths, swimming pools, gymnasiums, etc. are considered the main public foci of transmission of the infection. Mass illnesses have been recorded among school children. A newborn baby can become a carrier of a 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 oncogenic. Depending on the 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 another strain of the human papillomavirus can be found in the blood of approximately 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 of some people without a trace, in others it persists 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 virus carriers, a strong immune system is observed that suppresses the multiplication of a foreign agent. The particular role of cellular immunity has been confirmed. It blocks the persistence of the virus at its level (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, not everyone's body defense is at such a high level, then the latent HPV infection turns into an open (manifest) form. Papilloma is formed 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 concomitant sexually transmitted infections;
- immunodeficiency states in vitamin deficiency, atopic dermatitis, pregnancy, AIDS;
- frequent colds and SARS;
- hormonal contraception;
- autoimmune diseases;
- tobacco and alcohol.
The skin, which has damage or a tendency to inflammation, becomes a powerful provocative factor, it ceases to perform 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, the papilloma occurs in any area - from the nasopharynx to the lung parenchyma. But most often it attacks the mucous membrane of the larynx. The severity of the disease is determined by the presence of growths in the narrowest area, which contributes to respiratory obstruction, up to asphyxiation. In adults, it is considered an obligatory precancerous due to a high degree of malignancy (degeneration into a malignant tumor). The main symptom of the disease is usually hoarseness, which then turns into a loss of sound in the voice. The patient remains able to speak in a low voice. At the first stage, the manifestation of respiratory papillomatosis is sometimes confused with acute laryngitis. It is therefore impossible to prescribe treatment without endoscopic examination. Various physiotherapy procedures on the larynx region lead to the rapid growth of the papilloma.
baby warts
Warts are benign epidermal growths encountered mainly by children and adolescents. They grow on the face, hands, neck, often causing their owners a lot of emotional problems. However, more than 70% of these types of 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 will cope with HPV infection on its own. Additional risk factors in childhood are frequent stress associated with studying and passing exams, 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 neoplasms. This process cannot be neglected if one is attentive to oneself. It is necessary to give the alert if one of the symptoms is observed:
- the 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 to blackening;
- the inflammatory process joins, the skin peels, cracks, exudate oozes;
- pain appears.
All of the above are indications for the removal of growths. It is also worth resorting to a radical method of solving problems if the papilloma is located in places accessible to everyday injuries (in the neck, armpits, waist, etc. ). Constant grazing and rubbing can trigger the oncological process, and also contribute to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.
Methods of 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 planned in adolescents or pregnant women, only laser therapy is used. After destruction, the use of local antiviral and immunomodulating drugs is indicated.
But the main method of removing papillomas from the larynx is endolaryngeal surgery under anesthesia using either microinstruments or a surgical laser, after which a stable remission is recorded only in 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.