The human papillomavirus can cause many diseases. In addition, several types of this pathogen can cause the same pathology. The papillomavirus on the penis usually damages the mucous membranes and skin of the male body and is localized on the external genitalia.
Papilloma is a benign tumor, usually small, similar to cauliflower. This oncological process develops from flat epithelial cells. The tumor rises above the skin and can be both flesh-colored and some other (white, dark brown, etc. ). The causative agent of all oncology variants is the human papilloma virus.
HPV is a DNA-containing virus and has tropism in epithelial tissues, so it only affects the skin and mucous membranes of the human body. The pathogen does not have a shell, but is highly resistant to environmental conditions. HPV is a large group of viruses that are divided into:
- Types with minimal risk of malignancy;
- Types with a moderate risk of malignancy (special conditions required);
- A type with a high risk of malignant transformations.
Papillomas on the head of the penis are considered to be precancerous, 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 malignant process has already begun, the therapy becomes very difficult.
Appearance causes
For the papilloma to appear on the penis in men, direct contact with an infected person is required. Microscopic or overt skin damage is considered a particularly important predisposing factor. The main mode of transmission of the disease is sexual. In addition, not only people with a clear clinical picture of papillomas but also latent carriers of the virus are infected. During traditional sex, the head of the penis is damaged, through the mouth and genitals - the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx, during anus - the anus and rectum.
If a man has HPV elsewhere, then papillomas can develop on the skin of the penis during shaving and other manipulations associated with injuries. A domestic route of infection is also possible due to the high resistance of the virus to environmental conditions. Baths and saunas are especially dangerous.
Factors of the disease:
- Decreased immune forces in the body;
- Long-term stress;
- Presence of chronic diseases;
- Excessive ultraviolet radiation;
- Taking certain medicines.
Clinical picture
The incubation period for papilloma on the skin of the penis is approximately 8 to 12 weeks, but it can vary widely as the clinical picture depends largely on the degree of protection of the body.
Despite the fact that HPV usually causes harmless pathologies that do not cause inconvenience to patients, the types of viruses that cause papillomas in the penis are highly oncogenic. That is, the emergence of neoplasms can be considered the first stage of the cancer process.
Papillomas on the penis appear as small body-colored neoplasms, single or multiple, with no subjective symptoms. Sometimes they can resemble cauliflower, sometimes they are swollen on the stalk. In the absence of appropriate treatment, the disease progresses and the following stages are distinguished:
- Phimosis (narrowing of the foreskin sheets that makes it impossible to remove the head of the penis);
- Accumulation of stress and consequent development of the infectious process (narrowing makes it difficult to clear the space between the head and foreskin leaves);
- Inflammation of the head of the penis and both foreskin leaves (local signs are expressed in the form of edema, redness, purulent discharge);
- Erotic penile and foreskin head defects (this condition is defined as the first stage of cancer).
Treatment of papillomas on the penis must be carried out immediately and radically to avoid dangerous complications that can lead to major disruption of life and even death.
Diagnostics
Removal of papillomas on the penis can only be planned once the diagnosis has been made definitively. The main diagnostic tools for this disease are:
- Evaluation of complaints, medical history and clinical picture. The presence of unprotected sex was elucidated, and the affected area was examined for the presence of body color growths resembling cauliflower. Such derivatives can also be detected on the oral mucosa, around the anus, and on other external genitalia other than the penis.
- Polymerase chain reaction. This technique is difficult to implement, but it is more than 95% more efficient and is therefore considered the gold standard. PCR can be used to detect viral DNA in humans and to pinpoint its type.
- Cytological examinations. Antibodies to HPV are detected using different methods, which allows the presence of infection to be judged.
Treatment of penile papillomas is performed immediately after accurate identification of HPV type and stage of disease development.
How to get rid of papillomas on the penis?
There are no effective conservative treatments for this infection. The only possible action is the radical removal of papillomas on the penis. Various methods are used for treatment:
- Laser removal;
- Cryosurgery;
- Radio wave method (optimal option, leaving no cosmetic defects, painless);
- Open surgery;
- Cauterization (chemicals used).
In addition to radical therapy, drugs can be used. Cytostatic drugs are generally preferred. In addition, antiviral drugs are prescribed to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Sex should be avoided during treatment to prevent the spread of infection. It is also recommended that all of the patient's sexual partners be tested for HPV.
Prevention
Preventive measures mainly consist of having a safe sex life with one proven partner. You should be very careful when visiting public baths and saunas, as well as avoid contact with any human tumors, especially in the presence of microtraumas.
To avoid the development of complications, you should contact your doctor in a timely manner and follow all of his appointments and recommendations.
Curing the symptoms of the disease, unfortunately, does not guarantee complete recovery of the patient (that is, if the papilloma on the penis is removed, the removal of the virus from the body will still not work), so the man should carefully monitor his condition, notice the slightest changes and see a doctor. The HPV carrier must maintain a high level of immunity to prevent recurrence of clinical manifestations (relapses).