Not everyone knows that squamous cell papilloma is the result of a viral disease. In addition to an aesthetic problem, the disease can seriously harm health, including death. The tumor can "grow" in any part of the body and affect the internal organs.
What is a squamous cell papilloma and its structure
The answer to the question: "What is this? " is a benign neoplasm. The main sites of localization include the face, neck and mucous membranes. If the pathology is not treated for a long time, it can become malignant. Externally, a flat papilloma looks like a mole in the shape of a circle. The color can vary from flesh to deep brown. Doctors call the most common squamous cell papilloma with hyperkeratosis. It occurs mainly in older people, sometimes in people aged 30-35 years.
Causes and sources of infection
There are many ways to get infected with squamous cell papilloma of the skin, some of them are simple and do not cause concern:
- Sexual contact of any origin: vaginal, oral, anal;
- Everyday contact (handshake). Mainly here is the presence of open wounds;
- Visiting public places with high humidity: swimming pool, sauna;
- Violation of personal hygiene standards.
This type of papillomas is diagnosed in people with a low level of immunity who have a lot of casual sexual contacts.
The penetration of a virus into a healthy body does not mean that papillomas will appear in the near future. This only happens when immunity weakens. Main reasons:
- Presence of bad habits: alcoholism, smoking, illegal drugs, poor nutrition;
- Incorrect functioning of the digestive system;
- skin diseases;
- Old age;
- Hereditary predisposition;
- Exposure to third party chemicals.
Papilloma of the esophagus appears almost immediately after damage. It forms on the tongue, lips, inside the mouth, in the esophagus and intestines.
Why is it dangerous for humans?
The main danger is that papilloma with hyperkeratosis develops into cancer in more than 60% of cases. If the growth forms in the respiratory system, there is a risk of a gradual lack of oxygen, leading to death. When a growth occurs in the intestine, it may suppurate due to exposure to feces. With squamous papilloma of the esophagus, there is a risk of inflammation and bleeding due to intake of solid food or low-quality alcohol.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Symptoms of the formation of squamous cell papilloma are few and vague. First, the area with the growth is examined. Most people mistake the growths on the skin for warts and ignore them, hoping that they will disappear with time. The neoplasm develops and grows very slowly, and inflammation occurs very rarely.
The foci of manifestation appear mainly in the thinnest areas of the skin. This is the area of the eyelids, neck, chest. If the eyelid is affected, damage to the conjunctiva may occur.
The neoplasm grows and develops gradually, its average size is from 0. 3 to 1. 5 centimeters. The color of the neoplasm is different and can change over time from flesh-colored to purple.
Picking, squeezing, or cutting off a squamous cell papilloma is dangerous; an infection can get into an open wound.
There are no special diagnostic measures to detect the presence of the virus. First, a visual examination of the tumor is performed by a therapist. Then he prescribes referrals for other specialists: dermatologist, gynecologist. The appointment is made depending on the location of the papilloma. If it is located on the outer part of the skin, the diagnosis can be determined immediately. If the growth is inside the body, fluoroscopy is prescribed.
If the rectum is affected, the doctor palpates the neoplasm, the cervix is clearly visible using a gynecological glass.
There are several mandatory procedures:
- biopsy;
- Blood analysis;
- PCR study.
If necessary, the attending physician may prescribe additional diagnostic methods.
Esophageal papillomas
The main sites for the formation of squamous papilloma of the esophagus are the tongue, lips and oral mucosa. The virus can be accompanied by the formation of small ulcers and itching.
With papillomas on the lips, the first thing that appears is swelling and discomfort when eating. If the affected area is damaged, blood appears. The growth can grow rapidly and cause lip cancer.
With papilloma of the esophagus, the symptoms of which occur mainly in the male half of the population. The causes of the disease can be improper nutrition, poor quality of food and bad habits. The main location of the tumor in the esophagus is its middle part. The size of each is from 1-2 millimeters to 3-4 centimeters, with an oblong shape, on a stalk. The patient notes stomach pain, belching, excessive salivation, and a lump in the throat. Diagnosis is made using radiography and esophagoscopy.
Signs of formations in the mouth and larynx
With squamous cell papilloma of the larynx, the patient hurts to eat, swallow and sometimes even breathe. Sometimes there is difficulty with speech. The size of the growth is small, with stalks. If a neoplasm is detected in a child, treatment does not begin immediately, it happens that it disappears by itself. If you do not fight the disease in adulthood, it can degenerate into a malignant tumor.
The appearance of squamous cell papilloma on the tongue at first does not manifest itself in any way. Flesh-colored white growths begin to appear only if the patient has somehow injured them. After a few weeks, bad breath appears, itching, burning, ulcers form.
Symptoms in the larynx in adults can vary depending on the general condition of the body and the degree of development of the disease. There may be a sore throat, a lump in the nose, discomfort, congestion, itching. If a growth has formed on the septum, it gradually grows through the nasal sinuses, disrupting the normal processes of oxygen entry and exit.
Symptoms of formations in intimate places
With squamous cell papilloma of the cervix, there is a very high risk that the benign state of the neoplasm will turn into cancer. Often this process is accompanied by erosion and genital warts.
At the nascent stage, initial development, the virus does not have any symptoms. Gradually, itching and burning appear in the affected area, and over time, a constant state of discomfort appears. Exemption is possible. Papilloma is detected during a routine examination by a gynecologist and a colposcopy may be prescribed. During pregnancy, a woman may experience a decrease in the level of immunity and, accordingly, the appearance of papillomas. In such cases, immediate removal is recommended.
If we talk about the genitourinary system, the most problematic place for women is the rectum. In the initial stage, there are no symptoms, then pain, itching, purulent discharge and blood in the stool appear. The diagnosis can be made after a palpation procedure. In 90% of cases, when this type of neoplasm appears, doctors send you to take tests for syphilis.
Methods of treatment and removal
In most cases, patients seek treatment when symptoms are already severe. It is forbidden to prescribe treatment or try to remove the papilloma. Removal is done in several ways:
- Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen;
- surgery;
- Removal by high frequency current;
- Laser removal;
- Working with a radio knife.
Esophageal papilloma requires additional research, so treatment may take longer.
After the removal procedure, the scar is practically invisible. But there is no 100% guarantee that the tumor will not reappear. Without proper prophylaxis, the virus will reawaken and growths will appear. After treatment, the patient is prescribed a course of antiviral drugs, vitamins and immunomodulators. It is important to restore the level of general immunity as successfully as possible. Even if the virus remains in the body, it will hold it, preventing the formation of papillomas. It is recommended to completely eliminate bad habits.
Treatment with folk remedies
Squamous cell papilloma, like all other types of growths, is formed mainly in elderly people. For many of them, surgical intervention is contraindicated. In such cases, the attending physician advises to turn to traditional medicine. The most recommended means are:
- Freshly squeezed potato juice. Course - 2 months, take 100 ml 2 times a day;
- Jaundice juice. Course - 4 weeks, the affected area is lubricated with liquid several times a day;
- Fresh garlic. The cleaned section is attached to the growth with a plaster for 2-3 hours.
Currant leaves, licorice root, nettles, lemongrass, plantain, garlic, beets and carrots are actively used in the preparation of medicinal decoctions. In addition to taking medicinal compounds internally, you can prepare salads and soups from medicinal plants and vegetables.
Prevention and prognosis
The main preventive methods are:
- Early seeking of medical care;
- Healthy diet;
- Eliminate all bad habits.
Papilloma of the esophagus, bladder and cervix "responds" well to natural traditional medicine. Their treatment is also slightly different from traditional, and takes more time.
After removal surgery, rehabilitation may proceed differently and complications may occur. In general, the forecasts are always favorable. The death rate is minimal. If the process of cancer cell formation has already begun, the survival rate is 30-35%.
If you seek medical help in time, complete healing is possible in 90%, and damage to soft tissues is minimal. Cancerous tumors are also successfully removed and the degeneration process can be stopped.