How to remove papillomas on the body - 6 removal methods and the most effective method

Papillomas are mostly benign, but if they are not treated in a hurry, they can grow uncontrollably and become malignant. To prevent such an outcome, if you find such a growth on your body, you should contact a dermatologist, gynecologist or andrologist about this problem, depending on the location where the papilloma formed.

All information on the site was checked by an employee of the Pervomaisky Branch of the Moscow Scientific and Practical Center for Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology.

Why remove papillomas

Removal of tumors is carried out for several reasons:

1. The emergence of oncology. Papillomas are considered benign neoplasms that do not harm human health. However, over time, their growth can progress and they change into malignant formations, resulting in the development of cancer.

   
   Papillomas grow in colonies

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2. Constant contact with clothing. Often, papillomas are localized in places where the skin comes into contact with the tissue, causing the tumor to rub. A damaged growth can become an entrance for infection, which can subsequently lead to suppuration.
3. Possibility of infecting others. Contact with papilloma can transmit the infection from a sick person to a healthy one. This is especially dangerous if the growths are on the genitals. In this case, the partner can become infected with HPV during sexual intercourse.

In addition, an external defect is a source of bad mood. Even small papillomas can become a cosmetic problem that a person will try to hide with clothing.

Prevention

If a person, having seen an image of unpleasant papillomas in the photo, wants to protect himself from such a problem, he must adhere to methods for preventing infection and intensifying the disease. To do this you need:

• Temper the body. There are many ways that help strengthen the immune system, which suppresses the spread of the virus throughout the body;
• Eat properly. It is very important to saturate your body with a sufficient amount of useful microelements and vitamins that prevent a decrease in immunity;
• Lead a healthy lifestyle. Most often, papillomas occur due to bad habits that have a negative impact on the immune system. If a person gives up them and starts playing sports, he will feel much better;
• Avoid cuts and scratches to the skin. Even a small wound will help the viral infection penetrate inside the body without hindrance.

The sooner a disease is detected, the greater the chance of suppressing its activity until it spreads throughout the body. Maintaining a correct lifestyle and regular examinations in the clinic to determine the presence of pathogenic particles in the blood helps prevent the development of papillomavirus.

Removal methods

Removal of papillomas always begins with a consultation with a dermatologist. The doctor will examine the affected area and determine the most appropriate way to remove the growth. Each method has its own indications, advantages and disadvantages.

Surgical method

This method is one of the oldest methods for eliminating papillomas and is considered the most radical. Despite the abundance of more modern procedures for removing growths, surgery continues to be used. It is prescribed if the tumor has reached a large size, and after its removal a histological examination is necessary.

The principle of this method is based on excision of the papilloma with a scalpel, after preliminary application of an anesthetic. After this, the removal site heals over a long period of time and requires daily treatment with antiseptic agents.

Cryodestruction

It is based on the action of liquid nitrogen, which freezes the resulting growth. Its cells die and gradually begin to be rejected. At the end of the procedure, the papilloma does not go away immediately, but becomes white, cold and hard. After a couple of hours, a blister appears at the site of action of liquid nitrogen, accompanied by redness and swelling. It gradually transforms into a scab, under which the processes of skin healing and the formation of new cells take place. The scab can stay on the skin for up to 6 weeks, after which it falls off.

The method is often used due to its affordability, minor pain and short duration of the procedure.

The main disadvantage of cryodestruction is the possibility of scars appearing at the site of exposure. This can happen if the skin in the affected area is too thin or the papillomas are located deep in the folds of the skin. Also, the use of liquid nitrogen does not make it possible to completely control the depth of penetration of the substance, which can also lead to complications after surgery.

Typically, complete recovery takes 3-4 months, but in some cases this time can be extended to six months.

Laser therapy

It is one of the most progressive methods that allows you to remove several growths at once in one session. The neoplasm cells evaporate under the influence of a laser beam, as a result of which the papilloma disappears. In parallel with this, the process of sealing the capillaries occurs, which helps prevent the formation of bleeding. Before the procedure, the patient should not be in the sun for a long time or visit a solarium.

Advantages of the method:

• painlessness - usually a person feels only a slight tingling sensation;
• impossibility of infection entering the wound;
• absence of scars and cicatrices;
• non-contact method of action;
• short duration of the procedure.

The resulting crust disappears within a few days after surgery. It should not be touched, smeared with cream or wet. There will be a pink spot underneath, the color of which will gradually become equal to healthy skin after 3-4 weeks.

Laser therapy is not used for large growths larger than 5 mm.

Electrocoagulation

The method is based on the influence of high-frequency current directed to the site of the virus. Radiation promotes tissue destruction, resulting in skin necrosis. This method is good for protruding papillomas or those that have a thin stalk. If there is a stalk, the growth is eliminated quickly, but if the tumor protrudes above the skin, several repetitions may be required.

The procedure has a number of advantages compared to other methods:

• electrocoagulation instantly seals the vessels, which helps stop bleeding;
• the excised papilloma can be taken for histological examination;
• the skin is restored quite quickly;
• the price of the procedure is low.

If necessary, a local anesthetic can be used before the procedure to alleviate the patient's condition. During the operation, direct contact of the electrocoagulator with the skin occurs, so the site of exposure needs daily treatment after the procedure.

The spot that appears in the area of ​​the former papilloma disappears within several weeks. During this time, it is necessary to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Electrocoagulation usually does not leave scars, except in cases where the growth is localized deep in the tissues.

Radio wave method

Also called the radio knife method. Most operations are performed using the Surgitron device, which is a new development of radio wave surgery. The essence of this method of removing papillomas is the effect of a thin electrode aimed at the location of the papilloma. A radio wave is supplied to the electrode, heating the cells, which evaporate under its influence. At the same time, it does not heat up and does not touch the skin, which eliminates the possibility of complications. The shape of the wave and its strength are selected based on the depth of localization of the growths and their type.

The main advantages of the method are:

• no risk of contracting an infection after a wound occurs;
• the ability to remove tumors in areas with thin skin without scars;
• short recovery period;
• the ability to eliminate papillomas even in hard-to-reach places;
• painlessness of the procedure.

After the operation, a small crust also remains at the site of exposure, which cannot be wetted. Full recovery takes 1-3 months. In the first two weeks, you should spend less time in the sun and avoid visiting the solarium.

This method of removal is not suitable if the tumor is too large.

Diagnosis of the disease

According to patient reviews, diagnostic procedures are painless and atraumatic. Laboratory tests show the presence or absence of the HPV virus in the body and determine its typology. After receiving the data, the doctor gives recommendations on how to remove papillomas quickly and effectively.

The following options for diagnosing human papillomavirus are distinguished:

• Colposcopy - a specialist examines the cervix using a colposcope, identifying signs of infection on the mucous membranes. Since the device magnifies the image many times, there are no difficulties in detecting papillomas.
• Cystology is the study of biological material under a microscope. If HPV is present, dyskeratocytes and koilocytes (altered appearance of cellular structures) are found in the smear.
• Biopsy histology - the doctor takes a microscopic sample of tissue from the affected area for detailed examination under a microscope to eliminate the risk of developing oncology.
• Antibody testing is an early diagnostic technology. Examination of the patient's blood for the presence of immunoglobulins. While showing antibodies to HPV, the method does not provide accurate information about the form of the disease and the typology of the virus.
• The Digene test is an innovative technique that allows you to find out the concentration of the virus, its type and tendency to develop cancer. The biomaterial for research is a scraping of the vaginal mucosa or urethral canal. The method is often combined with a cytological examination.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - this method allows you to examine a smear, blood, urine, and amniotic fluid. It can be used to detect the DNA of the virus.

Recommendations after removal

There are several rules that must be followed in the first days after papilloma removal. So, during this period you cannot:

• wet an unhealed wound;
• peel off the crust that appears;
• apply an adhesive plaster to the affected area;
• sunbathe in the sun or in a solarium;
• injure the skin (rubbed with clothes, a washcloth, scratched, etc.);
• apply creams or cosmetics to the affected area;
• allow chemicals to penetrate into the wound.

In the first days after surgery, it is necessary to devote special time to treating the wound to prevent infection. To do this, it needs to be treated with antiseptics - iodine or brilliant green. After the crust falls off, you can use ointments to help heal and restore tissue.

Alternative medicine against papillomas

There are some effective methods for excision of papillary lesions using folk remedies.

Recipes for small papillomas contain the following ingredients::

• celandine juice;
• Castor oil;
• Apple vinegar;
• garlic-onion juice.

The course of treatment for papillomatous lesions at home is always long, but “grandmother’s” methods do not eliminate the main cause of the rash.

It is unacceptable to use aggressive methods of disposal, such as:

• dressing with silk thread:
• cauterization with fire, concentration of acetic acid, gasoline and other toxic substances.

All these barbaric methods only worsen the clinical picture, leading to injury and serious damage to the skin and mucous tissues.

Complications

Even with the use of the most modern methods for removing papillomas, complications may arise after the procedure. Usually all the consequences boil down to redness, swelling and mild pain at the site of exposure. Such phenomena disappear after a few days. However, in some cases, this may be accompanied by the appearance of scars or spots in the area of ​​papilloma removal. This can happen when:

• the location of the growth deep in the skin;
• choosing a removal method that does not correspond to the shape or size of the papilloma;
• lack of professionalism of the doctor;
• features of the procedure.

Also rare, but the most dangerous complication is wound infection. This can happen if the method of removing papilloma does not involve immediate tissue sealing or if the wound was poorly treated at the initial stage. In this case, you must consult a doctor for therapy.

Cost of services

Symptoms of the disease

Intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland is a papillary tumor that is easily injured, hemorrhages appear in the tumor, and necrosis of gland tissue can occur. The injured gland hurts, fluid with blood is released from the nipple. Intraductal papillomas come in two groups:

• Central cystadenomas - most often such formations are single, less often they become malignant.
• Peripheral cystadenomas - appear in any duct of the gland, often in large numbers, often become malignant, degenerating into papillary cancer.

Cystadenomas may not show symptoms for a long time; the first sign of development of the formation is discharge from the nipple. When you press on the mammary gland, the amount of discharge increases, depending on the condition of the gland, they are colored:

• When blood appears, the discharge turns pink to red.
• When a bacterial infection occurs, the discharge turns green or white.
• In some cases, the discharge may be clear.

Intraductal papilloma causes pain, which intensifies with tumor growth, pressure, wearing uncomfortable clothing, and complications developing. Complications can occur due to necrosis of gland tissue, an inflammatory process. The patient's body temperature rises, the mammary gland in the area of ​​the tumor begins to ache very much, and the skin of the mammary gland turns red. The mammary gland swells greatly, discharge from the nipple increases, and the color of the discharge changes. If signs of tumor development or nipple discharge appear, you should be examined by a mammologist or oncologist.

At the Yusupov Hospital, a patient with a suspected breast tumor is sent for a biochemical and general blood test, and an analysis for tumor markers. The symptoms of intraductal papilloma are similar to those of breast cancer. Then the patient is sent for breast ultrasound and MRI. A contrast study can also be performed to check the patency of the ducts, study the structure of the gland, and determine the location of multiple or single cystadenomas. After a biopsy, the doctor will determine the type of tumor, whether it is malignant or benign.