Not everyone knows that squamous cell tumor is the result of a viral disease. In addition to being an aesthetic problem, the disease can seriously harm your health, including death. The tumor can "grow" on any part of the body and affect internal organs.
What is a squamous cell and its structure
The answer to the question: "What is it? " is a benign tumor. The main sites of application are the face, neck and mucous membranes. If the pathology is not treated for a long time, it can become malignant. From the outside, a flat papilloma resembles a mole in the form of a ring. Color can vary from flesh to deep brown. Doctors call squamous cell carcinoma with hyperkeratosis the most common. It mainly occurs in older people, sometimes in people aged 30-35.
Causes and sources of infection
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can be contracted in many ways, some of which are simple and cause no concern:
- Sexual intercourse of any origin: vaginal, oral, anal;
- Daily contact (handshake). A fundamental issue here is the presence of open wounds;
- Visiting public places with high humidity: swimming pool, sauna;
- Violation of personal hygiene requirements.
This type of papillomas is diagnosed in people with low immunity who have many free sexual relations.
The fact that a virus enters a healthy body does not mean that papillomas will appear in the near future. This only happens when privacy is reduced. Main reasons:
- The presence of bad habits: alcoholism, smoking, illegal drugs, poor nutrition;
- Failure of the digestive system;
- Skin diseases;
- Elderly age;
- Hereditary tendency;
- Effects of third-party materials.
Esophageal papilloma occurs almost immediately after failure. It forms on the tongue, lips, inside the mouth, in the esophagus and intestines.
Why is it dangerous for humans?
The main risk is that papilloma with hyperkeratosis develops into cancer in more than 60% of cases. If the growth develops in the respiratory system, there is a risk of gradual hypoxia leading to death. When a growth occurs in the intestines, it can become attached due to exposure to feces. With squamous cell tumor of the esophagus, there is a risk of inflammation and bleeding due to the consumption of solid food or low-quality alcohol.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Symptoms of the formation of squamous cell tumors are few and unclear. First, the area with growth is examined. Most individuals mistake skin growths for warts and ignore them, hoping that they will disappear with time. The tumor develops and grows very slowly and inflammation occurs very rarely.
Impression foci appear primarily in the thinnest areas of the skin. This is the eyelid area, the neck, the chest. If the eyelid is affected, damage to the conjunctiva may occur.
The tumor grows and develops gradually, its average size is from 0. 3 to 1. 5 centimeters. The color of the tumor varies and can change over time from flesh-colored to purple.
Picking, squeezing, or cutting a squamous cell tumor is dangerous; infection can spread to an open wound.
There are no specific diagnostic measures to detect the presence of the virus. First, a visual inspection of the tumor is performed by the therapist. Then he writes out referrals to other specialists: a dermatologist, a gynecologist. The schedule depends 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 tumor; the cervix is clearly visible using a gynecological speculum.
There are several mandatory methods:
- biopsy;
- Blood analysis;
- PCR examination.
If necessary, the attending physician may prescribe additional diagnostic methods.
Esophageal papillomas
The main sites for the formation of squamous cell tumors in the esophagus are the tongue, lips and oral mucosa. The virus can be accompanied by the formation of small sores 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 in the esophagus, symptoms that occur mainly in the male half of the population. The causes of the disease can be poor nutrition, poor food and bad habits. The main site of the tumor in the esophagus is its middle part. The size of each one is from 1-2 millimeters to 3-4 centimeters, oblong in shape, on a stalk. The patient notices pain in the stomach, belching, excessive salivation and a lump in the throat. Diagnosis is made by X-ray and esophagoscopy.
Signs of formations in the mouth and larynx
With squamous cell tumor of the larynx, it hurts the patient to eat, swallow and sometimes even breathe. Sometimes there is difficulty in speaking. The size of growth is small, pedunculated. If a tumor is discovered in a child, treatment is not started immediately, it happens that it disappears by itself. If you do not fight the disease in adulthood, it can degenerate into malignant tumors.
The appearance of squamous cell tumors of the tongue does not appear in any way at first. White, flesh-colored growths only begin to manifest themselves if the patient has somehow injured them. After a few weeks, bad breath becomes apparent, itching, burning and sores develop.
Symptoms in the larynx in adults can be different, depending on the general condition of the body and the development of the disease. It can be sore throat, runny nose, discomfort, congestion, itching. If a growth has formed on the septum, it gradually grows around the sinuses and interferes with the normal flow of oxygen in and out.
Characteristics of the formations in close quarters
With squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, there is a very high risk of a benign tumor turning into cancer. This process is often accompanied by erosion and genital warts.
In the initial stage, the first development, the virus has no symptoms. Itching and burning gradually appear in the affected area, and over time constant discomfort appears. Graduation is possible. Papilloma is diagnosed during a routine examination by a gynecologist and a colonoscopy may be prescribed. During pregnancy, a woman may experience a decrease in her immunity level and, accordingly, the appearance of papillomas. In such cases, immediate removal is recommended.
If we talk about the genital system, the most difficult place for women is the anus. There are no symptoms in the initial stage, then pain, itching, purulent discharge and blood in the stool appear. The diagnosis can be made after palpation. In 90% of cases when this type of tumor occurs, doctors send you to take a test for syphilis.
Treatment and removal methods
In most cases, patients seek treatment when symptoms are already severe. It is forbidden to prescribe treatment for yourself or try to remove the papilloma. Removal is done in several ways:
- Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen;
- Surgery;
- High frequency current removal;
- Laser removal;
- Radio Knife Operation.
Esophageal papilloma requires additional examination; therefore treatment may take longer.
After the removal procedure, the scar is almost invisible. But there is no 100% guarantee that the tumor will not appear again. Without proper prevention, the virus will reawaken and growth will appear. After treatment, the patient is prescribed treatment with antiviral drugs, vitamins and immunosuppressive drugs. It is important to restore general immunity as well as possible. Even if the virus remains in the body, it will contain it and prevent the formation of papillomas. It is recommended to eliminate bad habits completely.
Treatment with folk medicine
Squamous cell tumors, like all other types of growths, occur mainly in elderly people. Surgery is contraindicated for many of them. In such cases, the doctor advises to turn to traditional medicine. The recommended routes are:
- Freshly squeezed potato juice. Course - 2 months, take 100 ml, 2 times a day;
- Celandine juice. Course - 4 weeks, the affected area is lubricated with liquid several times a day;
- Fresh garlic. The cleaned slice is attached to the growth with an adhesive plaster for 2-3 hours.
Currant leaves, licorice root, nettles, lemongrass, plantain, garlic, beets and carrots are actively used in the preparation of medicinal infusions. In addition to taking medicinal compounds internally, you can prepare salads and soups from medicinal herbs and vegetables.
Prevention and prognosis
The main preventive measures are:
- Early seeking of medical care;
- Proper nutrition;
- Elimination of all bad habits.
Papilloma in the esophagus, bladder and cervix "responds" well to natural traditional remedies. Their treatment is also slightly different from the traditional one; it also takes longer.
After surgery, rehabilitation may be different and complications may occur. Basically, the predictions are always favorable. The death rate is minimal. If the formation of cancer cells has already started, the survival rate is 30-35%.
If you seek medical help in time, a complete cure is 90% possible and soft tissue damage is minimal. Cancerous tumors are also successfully removed and the degenerative process can be stopped.