In this article, we'll cover the following:
- what are papillomas;
- what is the reason for their formation.
- where they are more common in men and women;
- typical papillomas.
Papillomas are benign neoplasms localized 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 sexual intercourse, including anal, oral-genital.
- Household. The microorganism is able to exist on personal belongings, personal hygiene items, infected towels. It easily penetrates through scratches, abrasions on the skin.
- During labor from mother to child.
Possible autoinfection if the virus is transferred from one area of the body to another, which usually occurs when shaving, hair removal.
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 most often appear in case of illness, pregnancy, alcohol abuse, psycho-emotional stress, hypothermia, accompanied by a decrease in immune defense. The incidence of these formations in men and women is the same.
Human papillomavirus: types
Depending on the risk of oncological pathology on the skin, mucous papillomaviruses belong to the following groups:
- Low oncogenic risk (HPV 3, 6, 11, 13, 32, 34, 72, 73, 40–44, 51, 61 types).
- Medium oncogenic risk (HPV types 52, 56, 58, 30, 35, 45).
- High risk of developing malignant processes (HPV 50, 59, 16, 18, 64, 68, 70, 31, 33, 39 types).
Microorganisms with a low degree of cancer risk cause benign growths on the skin, mucous membranes.
Types of papillomas
Simple
They are also called vulgar, ordinary. Such growths are more often caused by HPV types 26-29, 77, 63, 41.
Tingling, burning sensation appears on 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 from 1 mm to cm
These neoplasms are single, multiple. In the latter case, the daughter small papillomas are located around the maternal, formed first, usually the largest of all.
Their localization is the back of the hands, fingers, the spaces between them, the chin area, the edges of the lips. There are such papillomas on the neck. The child's knees are affected, because children often crawl, become infected through small lesions on the skin.
Plantar
People with these formations are infected with HPV types 1, 2, 4. Growths are similar to dry calluses, but have a number of characteristic differences.
Skin pattern is preserved on calluses, absent on the surface of papillomas, the latter are smooth. The formation caused by the papillomavirus is painful, unpleasant sensations are intensified when wearing squeezing shoes. Inside the papilloma, black dots are noticeable, which are absent in calluses.
Neoplasms sometimes self-destruct, which is more common in children. Sometimes small bubbles are visible around the neoplasm. The latter turn into new papillomas over time.
Flat papillomas
Growths of a rounded, elongated, oval shape, rise above the skin level by 1–2 millimeters. Flat papillomas are localized around the mouth, on the face, and the upper half of the body. Sometimes papillomas form on the neck.
There are papilloma data on the labia, 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, are formed under the influence of 10, 49, 28 varieties of papillomavirus.
Threaded
If people notice that small papillomas have appeared on the neck, then most often the growths are threadlike. The second name of the formations isacrochordus. The latter are caused by 2, 7 types of HPV.
At the initial stage, papillomas on the neck look like small yellowish seals, then the growths stretch out, become rough, acquire an elongated, round, thread-like shape. A distinctive feature of a similar papilloma on the neck is a thin leg.
Most often, acrochordus is formed in men, women over 40 years old. Growths also occur on the skin of the upper eyelids, armpits, mammary glands, in the intimate area.
Pointed
The formation data are calledwarts,are caused by types 6, 11, 44, 42, 54, 51, 55, 89 types of human papillomavirus in women and men.
Condylomas are small, single, multiple outgrowths of flesh-colored, localized on the female, male genitals, around the anus. There are papillomas in the vagina, labia minora, cervix. In men, condylomas are located on the foreskin, head of the penis, inside the urethra.
Separate elements sometimes merge with each other, a tumor-like formation appears, outwardly resembling a rooster's comb, cauliflower. The neoplasms are characterized by very rapid growth, a wide lesion can be formed in a few hours.
Pathology has a recurrent 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 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 6, 7, 11, 72, 73, 57, 32 types. 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 single, multiple, painless when pressed. They are located on the bottom of the oral cavity, the back of the tongue, hard, soft palate, laryngeal mucosa, the size ranges from 2 mm to 2 cm.
The overgrowth of the mucous membrane of the mouth bleeds if bitten, darkens as a result of the outpouring of blood into it. 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, a cough, the voice becomes hoarse. If the lesions become multiple, these symptoms are exacerbated.
In children, pathological growths are often bilateral, their occurrence is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Difficulty inhaling, exhaling, arising 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 externally different papillomas is associated with infection with various types of HPV. To remove neoplasms, you must consult a doctor. This should be done as soon as possible if papillomas are multiple, rapidly increase in size, cause discomfort, and are constantly injured.