Papillomas of the skin and larynx

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes the epithelium of the skin, the mucosa of the anogenital area and the upper respiratory tract to grow. Less commonly affects the internal organs - esophagus, bronchi, rectum, bladder. As a result of 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 tumors. In what cases does the papilloma require special attention and removal? The article will tell about it.

The path of infection

the doctor examines the papilloma on the skin

Infection occurs after contact with a virus carrier, as well as with a sick person or animal. It is worth noting that an infected person may have no clinical signs of papillomatosis. Sometimes he doesn't even know about his infection. The virus enters the human body through microdamages to the skin or mucous membranes. Single viral particles are sufficient for the development of an infectious process. The virus is able to maintain its viability in the environment. That is why self-infection is possible during hygienic procedures and in everyday life (shaving, epilation, combing the skin, self-injection). Baths, swimming pools, gyms, etc. are considered to be the main public breeding grounds for the transmission of the infection. Mass illnesses have been registered among students. The newborn can become infected with the human papillomavirus when 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 level 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 human papillomavirus can be found in the blood of about 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 papillomas

Why does the virus disappear from the body of some people without a trace, in others it lasts a lifetime 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, which suppresses the reproduction of a foreign agent. The special role of cellular immunity has been confirmed. It blocks the persistence of the virus at its level (the 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 defenses are at such a high level and then latent HPV infection goes into overt (overt) form. Papilloma is formed under the influence of factors such as:

  • indiscriminate sex life, frequent change of partners;
  • contact with a partner with a history of genital papillomatosis;
  • the presence of concomitant sexually transmitted infections;
  • immunodeficiency in vitamin deficiency, atopic dermatitis, pregnancy, AIDS;
  • frequent colds and SARS;
  • hormonal contraception;
  • autoimmune diseases;
  • smoking and alcohol.

Skin that has damage or a tendency to inflammation becomes a powerful provoking factor, 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 airways, papillomas occur in every area, from the nasopharynx to the lung parenchyma. But most often it attacks the lining of the larynx. The severity of the disease is determined by the presence of growths in the narrowest area, which contributes to respiratory obstruction, to asphyxia. In adults, it is considered mandatory precancerous due to a high degree of malignancy (degeneration into a malignant tumor). The main symptom of the disease is usually hoarseness, which then develops into loss of voice. The patient remains able to speak in whispers. In the first stage, the manifestation of respiratory papillomatosis is sometimes confused with acute laryngitis. Therefore, it is impossible to prescribe treatment without endoscopic examination. Various physiotherapeutic procedures in the area of the larynx lead to rapid growth of the papilloma.

Baby warts

Warts are benign epidermal growths that occur mainly in children and adolescents. They develop on the face, arms, 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 for the body to cope with HPV infection. Additional risk factors in childhood are frequent stress related to learning and taking exams, fatigue, lack of sleep, malnutrition, delicate skin in babies, acne in adolescents.

Is it necessary to remove papillomas on the skin

examination of the papilloma of the back

Some neoplasms degenerate into malignant. This process cannot be neglected if one is attentive to oneself. You need to be alert if one of the symptoms is detected:

  • papilloma changes in size and configuration (grows rapidly, the edges are blurred, additional growths and seals are formed);
  • the color of the neoplasm changes to darken;
  • the inflammatory process joins, the skin peels, cracks, exudate leaks;
  • pain occurs.

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 daily injury (neck, armpits, waist, etc. ). Constant grazing and rubbing can start the oncological process and also contribute to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.

Methods for removing neoplasms

Destructive methods for the treatment of skin growths are divided into:

  • chemical (trichloroacetic acid 80-90% and other drugs);
  • physical (plasma coagulation, cryodestruction, laser therapy, electrosurgery).

If removal is expected in adolescents or pregnant women, then only laser therapy is used. After destruction, the use of topical antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs is indicated.

But the main method of eliminating laryngeal papillomas is endolaryngeal surgery under anesthesia with the help of microinstruments or surgical laser, after which stable remission is registered in only one third of patients. In practice, a combined approach is used: additional cryodestruction (with a local form of the disease) is performed, local antitumor drugs are prescribed. The most common is inhalation with a special solution.