There can be a huge number of diseases caused by human papillomavirus. In addition, several types of these pathogens can cause the same pathology. The papilloma virus on the penis usually affects the mucous membranes and skin of the male body, localized to the external genitalia.
Papilloma is a benign tumor, usually small in size and resembling cauliflower. This cancer process develops from flat epithelial cells. The tumor rises above the skin and can have both flesh color and some other (white, dark brown, etc. ). The cause of all types of oncology is human papillomavirus.
HPV is a virus that contains DNA and has a zone for epithelial tissue, so it only affects the skin and mucous membranes of the human body. The pathogen does not have a shell, but it is highly resistant to environmental conditions. HPV consists of a large group of viruses that are divided into:
- Species with minimal risk of malignancy;
- Species with moderate risk of malignancy (special circumstances required);
- The species with a high risk of malignant transformation.
Papillomas on the glans penis are considered to be a cancerous disease, that is, they belong to the latter group of viruses. Therefore, at the first sign of a pathological appearance, you should consult a doctor and start treatment. If the malignant process has already started, then treatment will be very difficult.
Reasons for appearance
In order for papilloma to appear on the penis in men, direct contact with an infected person is required. Microscopy or obvious damage to the skin is considered to be a particularly important tendency to be affected. The primary pathogen of infectious disease is sexual. In addition, not only people with papillomas with a clear clinical picture are infected, but also latent carriers of the virus. During normal sex, the head of the penis is affected, by contact with the mouth and genitals - mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx, during the anal process - anus and rectum.
If you have HPV elsewhere, papillomas can appear on the skin of your penis during shaving and other injury-related procedures. The transmission pathway in households is also possible, which is related to the high resistance of the virus to environmental conditions. Baths and saunas are especially dangerous.
Predictable factors for the onset of the disease:
- Decrease in the body's immune system;
- Chronic stress;
- Presence of chronic diseases;
- Excess ultraviolet radiation;
- Taking certain medications.
Clinical picture
The incubation period of papilloma on the skin of the penis is about 8-12 weeks, but it can vary greatly as the clinical picture depends mainly on the level of protection of the body.
Despite the fact that HPV usually causes harmless pathology that does not cause discomfort to patients, the viruses that cause papillomas to appear in the mucous membrane are highly carcinogenic. The appearance of tumors can be considered as the first stage of the cancer process.
Papillomas on the penis look like small fleshy tumors, single or multiple, but they do not have any subjective symptoms. Sometimes they can look like cauliflower, sometimes they are inflamed on the stem. If there is no adequate treatment, the disease progresses and the following stages are diagnosed in it:
- Phimosis (narrowing of the foreskin leaves, making it impossible to remove the limb);
- Accumulation of smegma and consequent development of infectious processes (due to narrowing it is difficult to clear the gap between the head and the leaves on the foreskin);
- Inflammation of the penile heads and both bodies (local signs appear in the form of edema, redness, purulent discharge);
- Corrosion defects on the head of the penis and foreskin (this condition is defined as the first stage of cancer).
Treatment of papilloma on the penis should be immediate and radical to avoid dangerous complications that can lead to significant disruption to life and even death.
Analysis
It is only possible to plan to remove the papilloma on the penis after the diagnosis is finally confirmed. Main diagnostic measures for this disease:
- Assessment of complaints, medical history and clinical picture. The presence of unprotected sex is explained, the area in question is examined for carnivorous growth that resembles cauliflower. It is also possible to detect such formations on the lining of the mouth, around the anus and on other external genitalia, outside the penis.
- Polymerase chain reaction. This technology is difficult to implement, but more than 95% effective, hence it is considered the gold standard. With the help of PCR, it is possible to detect the DNA of the virus in the human body, as well as to accurately determine its type.
- Theoretical research. Antibodies to HPV can be detected using different methods, making it possible to rule out an infection.
Treatment of papilloma in the penis takes place immediately after the exact determination of the type of HPV and the stage of development of the disease.
How to get rid of papilloma on the penis?
There are no effective types of conservative treatment for this infection. The only possible action is a radical removal of the papilloma on the penis. Various methods are used in treatment:
- Laser removal;
- Terrorism;
- Radio wave method (the best option, which does not leave cosmetic defects, painless);
- Open surgery;
- Purification (chemicals are used).
Medicines can be used in addition to radical treatment. Basically, there is a choice of cytotoxic drugs. In addition, antiviral drugs are prescribed to reduce the risk of relapse.
During the treatment period, sexual intercourse should be avoided to prevent the spread of infection. It is also recommended that all of the patient's sexual partners be tested for the presence of HPV.
Prevention
Preventive measures mainly consist of establishing a protected sex with one proven spouse. You should be very careful when visiting public baths and saunas, as well as avoid contact with human tumors, especially in the presence of microtraumas.
To prevent the development of complications, you need to consult a doctor in good time and follow all his instructions and recommendations.
The cure for the symptoms, unfortunately, does not guarantee the patient's complete recovery (that is, if the papilloma on the penis is removed, it will still not work to remove the virus from the body), so one should carefully monitor his condition, notethe slightest change and refer to a physician. HPV carriers must maintain high immunity so that clinical symptoms (relapses) do not recur.