Human papillomavirus may cause a large number of diseases. In addition, several types of this pathogen can cause the same pathology. The papilloma virus on the penis usually affects the mucous membranes and skin of the male body and is located in the external genitalia.
Papilloma is a benign tumor, usually small in size, similar to broccoli. This oncology process develops from squamous epithelial cells. The tumor is higher than the skin and can have flesh-colored and other colors (white, dark brown, etc. ). The pathogen of all variants of oncology is human papillomavirus.
HPV is a virus containing DNA, which is trophic to epithelial tissues, so it only affects the skin and mucous membranes of the human body. The pathogen does not have a shell, but has a strong resistance to environmental conditions. HPV consists of a large group of viruses, which can be subdivided into:
- The type with the least risk of malignancy;
- Types with average risk of malignancy (special conditions are required);
- Types with high risk of malignant transformation.
Papillomas on the glans are considered precancerous lesions, that is, they belong to the latter group of viruses. Therefore, at the first signs of pathology, you should consult a doctor and start treatment. If the process of malignant tumors has already begun, then treatment will become very difficult.
The reason
For men with papilloma on the penis, direct contact with an infected person is required. Microscopic or obvious damage to the skin is considered to be a particularly important predisposing factor. The main route of transmission of the disease is sexual transmission. In addition, not only patients with clear clinical manifestations of papilloma will be infected, but also latent carriers of the virus. In traditional sex, the head of the penis is affected, during oral-genital contact-the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx, and during the anus-the anus and rectum.
If a man is infected with HPV elsewhere, papilloma may appear on the skin of the penis during shaving and other injury-related operations. Home infections are also possible, which is related to the virus's high resistance to environmental conditions. Bathrooms and saunas are especially dangerous.
Precipitating factors of disease manifestation:
- Decrease the body's immunity;
- Prolonged stress
- The presence of chronic diseases;
- Excessive ultraviolet radiation;
- Taking certain medications.
Clinical picture
The incubation period of penile skin papilloma is about 8-12 weeks, but it may vary greatly, because the clinical manifestations mainly depend on the degree of protection of the body.
Although HPV most often causes harmless pathologies that do not cause inconvenience to patients, the type of virus that causes papilloma in the penile area is highly carcinogenic. In other words, the appearance of tumors can be considered as the first stage of the cancer process.
Papillomas on the penis look like small flesh-colored tumors, single or multiple, without subjective symptoms. Sometimes they can resemble broccoli, sometimes they are lumps on the stem. Without proper treatment, the disease progresses, and the following stages are distinguished:
- Phimosis (the foreskin becomes narrow and the glans can not be removed);
- The accumulation of smegma and the development of the infection process (due to the narrowing, it is difficult to clean the space between the head of the foreskin and the leaves);
- Inflammation of the glans of the penis and the foreskin (local symptoms are edema, redness, and purulent discharge);
- Erosive defects of the glans and foreskin (this condition is defined as the first stage of cancer).
The treatment of papilloma on the penis should be carried out immediately and thoroughly to avoid dangerous complications that could cause serious damage to life or even death.
diagnosis
Only after the diagnosis is finalized can it be planned to remove the papilloma from the penis. The main diagnostic measures of this disease:
- Assess complaints, medical history, and clinical conditions. Clarify the existence of unprotected sexual intercourse and check for broccoli-like flesh-colored growths in the affected area. This structure can also be detected on the oral mucosa, around the anus, and on other external genitalia except the penis.
- Polymerase chain reaction. This technique is difficult to implement, but it is more than 95% efficient, which is why it is considered the gold standard. With the help of PCR, the DNA of the virus in the human body can be detected and its type can be accurately determined.
- Cytological research. Different techniques are used to detect HPV antibodies so that you can determine whether there is an infection.
After accurately determining the type of HPV and the stage of disease development, the papilloma of the penis is treated immediately.
How to remove papilloma on the penis?
There is no effective conservative treatment type for this infection. The only possible action is to completely remove the papilloma on the penis. Various techniques are used to treat:
- Laser removal
- Cryosurgery
- Radio wave method (best choice, no cosmetic defects, no pain);
- Open surgery
- Cauterization (using chemical reagents).
In addition to radical treatment, drugs can also be used. Basically, cytostatic drugs are preferred. In addition, antiviral drugs are prescribed to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Sexual intercourse should be avoided during treatment to prevent the spread of infection. It is also recommended that all sexual partners of the patient be tested for HPV.
prevention
Preventive measures mainly include a protected sex life with a proven partner. You should be very careful when going to public baths and saunas, and avoid contact with anyone’s tumor, especially if there is minimal trauma.
In order to prevent the development of complications, you need to consult a doctor in time and follow all his appointments and recommendations.
Unfortunately, curing the symptoms of the disease does not guarantee the patient's full recovery (that is, if the papilloma on the penis is removed, the virus still cannot be removed from the body), so men should carefully monitor his condition and pay attention to the slightest changes. And consult a doctor. HPV carriers must maintain a high level of immunity to avoid recurring clinical manifestations (relapse).