What do papillomas on the penis look like?
Papillomas are benign skin growths, the appearance of which is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Growths on the skin of the genitals are also called genital warts. If the virus develops on the mucous membranes, condylomas occur.
Types of papillomas on the penis : growths can be nipple-like, round, thread-like. Sometimes they form clumps like scallops or cauliflowers. There are also flat, rough papillomas. The color of the new growths is different: flesh-colored, pink, brown. They can be found on the scrotum, on the frenulum of the penis, in the area of the head. Sometimes they occur in the lumen of the urethra. The formations are painless, soft, and do not normally bleed.
The papilloma virus causes abnormal cell division. Hanging papillomas and condylomas are characterized by exophytic growth, when cells “crawl” over each other. Flat ones have endophytic growth. Such papillomas are in many ways similar to exophytic ones, but are able to grow inside the tissue, becoming morphologically similar to carcinoma.
Photo of papillomas. Papillomas on the shaft of the penis – https://prntscr.com/v4o3zb, https://prntscr.com/v4o4a7, https://prntscr.com/v4o4rd, https://prntscr.com/v4o4yj. Typical flat condylomas on the skin of the penis - https://prntscr.com/v4o5c3. Flat condyloma on the head at the opening of the urethra - https://prntscr.com/v4o5ni. Condylomas on the head of the penis - https://prntscr.com/v4o63w.
Pearly papules around the head, which many men mistake for white papillomas - https://prntscr.com/v4o6e7.
Are papillomas dangerous?
The danger of papillomas on the male penis depends on the type of virus that caused their appearance. According to the degree of oncogenicity, all types are divided into several groups. Penile cancer can occur against the background of papillomavirus types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 45, 52, 58, 59. Low risk for types 6, 11, 42, 43, 44.
Most Commonly Detected HPV Types
Papillomas can spread into the urethra and cause urination problems. When they appear on the foreskin and under the head of the penis, they can provoke phimosis. In some cases, the tumors begin to itch very much, increasing in size and number. Papillomas on the frenulum of the penis can interfere with sexual intercourse. The sensitivity of the head may decrease.
Removal of papillomas for HIV
HIV is an immunodeficiency condition.
People with HIV infection can also have HPV and experience the growth of papillomas.
HPV, against the background of HIV infection, is always more severe.
HPV associated with HIV is characterized by a severe recurrent course that is very difficult to treat.
But you still need to be treated and the papillomas also need to be removed.
HPV is an opportunistic disease associated with HIV infection.
Against the background of HIV, it is best to prevent HPV infection: treatment will be much more difficult.
Why do they appear?
The reason for the appearance of papillomas on the penis is the penetration of a virus of the corresponding type into the blood. A person may never know about its presence if the immune system copes.
Factors that provoke the appearance of growths:
- Physical fatigue, exhaustion of the body.
- Frequent and chronic stress.
- Poor nutrition.
- Bad habits.
- Hormonal imbalances.
- Surgical operations.
- Long-term treatment with antibiotics.
Papillomas will appear as soon as the body’s immune defense weakens. The mechanism for triggering HPV activity is the same as that of herpes.
Possible complications and precautions
The asymptomatic course of the disease and late presentation to the hospital pose a serious danger to the patient’s health. The disease can result in complications:
- Papillomas almost never degenerate into malignant tumors. The virus develops in the zone of dysplasia of the epithelium of the genital area, which ends in cancer. This happens less often in men than in women.
- Injured growths on the perineum often become infected with the development of purulent inflammation.
- An unpleasant complication of the disease is bleeding.
Simple measures to prevent human papillomavirus infection help to avoid the following conditions:
- Leading a healthy lifestyle is the key to good health for many years.
- Proper nutrition and periodic intake of vitamin supplements strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of relapses.
- Treatment of chronic diseases prevents the weakening of the immune system and the occurrence of papillomas.
- If symptoms of the disease appear, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor to undergo treatment and reduce the risk of complications.
The article has been reviewed by the site editors
Can they be transmitted?
Papillomas are contagious. They are transmitted both sexually and through household contact. That is, you can become infected not only through unprotected sexual intercourse, but also through skin-to-skin contact. Conditions for transmission: the presence of so-called entry gates, which can be any damage to the skin or mucous membrane, and the activity of the virus in the carrier. There is a high risk of infection during oral and anal sex.
Even sex with a condom does not provide 100% protection, since not the entire penis is covered. The groin area around the penis and its base behind the condom ring remain vulnerable. If the partner has papillomas on the labia, then contact occurs and the virus is introduced. HPV is also found in vaginal lubricant, which also gets on the skin of the base of the penis and scrotum. As a result, papillomas appear in these areas. When masturbating, they can be easily transferred to the head.
The papillomavirus is able to survive outside the body, so you can become infected with it, although extremely rarely, in a bathhouse, swimming pool, or sauna. Infection can be congenital if a child comes into contact with neoplasms while passing through the birth canal. However, in infants most often self-healing occurs during the first 2 months due to antibodies obtained from mother's milk.
The incubation period of the virus can range from 3 weeks to several years until factors predisposing to the growth of papilloma arise. Infection often occurs multiple times from different partners, since HPV of one type or another is infected with 90% of the world's inhabitants.
Read more about papillomas on the penis - what causes them and how to treat them, says urologist, dermatovenerologist Lenkin Sergey Gennadievich
Alcoholic drinks and washing: when is it possible after removing papillomas?
Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed during treatment.
And, as I already said, you cannot wash or wet the crusts on the wound surface for two to four weeks after the operation.
These prohibitions must be taken with full responsibility, otherwise the relapse of HPV and the reappearance and growth of papillomas cannot be avoided.
If everything was done correctly, by an experienced specialist, and postoperative care was observed, then recurrences of papillomas can be avoided.
Diagnostics
Which doctor should I contact : a urologist, dermatovenerologist.
Papillomas are easily identified by their appearance, but to distinguish them, for example, from pearly papules around the head, a magnifying device is used - a dermatoscope. The doctor scrapes the epithelium of the genitourinary organs to determine the type of virus using PCR. It is also important to determine the concentration of the virus in the blood and perform an immunogram. If the concentration is low, then treatment is not carried out.
An immunogram is a blood test that allows you to assess the degree of decrease in the activity of the immune system. This is important for prescribing the correct treatment. The analysis reveals the number of immune complexes and immunoglobulins, and the composition of lymphocytes. Based on the volume of these blood components, you can determine the quality of immunity and select a drug to activate the missing link.
Indicators of a normal immunogram
Analysis is not cheap. At Helix it will cost 7,080 rubles. However, without it, the doctor should not prescribe immunostimulants, for example, Polyoxidonium. This group of drugs can provoke serious negative consequences in the form of an autoimmune reaction - if the immune system is not properly stimulated, it will begin to attack its own cells. Another side effect: if there is a cancerous tumor in the body, its growth will increase.
When can you have sex after papillomas removal?
You can have sex after the surface of the penis has completely recovered, that is, about two to four weeks.
If papillomas were removed using the radio wave method, there is no rehabilitation period.
If there are no unpleasant sensations, then you can have sex on the day of surgery with a radio knife.
Another advantage of the radio wave removal method.
How to treat papillomas on the penis
Is it necessary to treat : it is necessary if the type of virus is oncogenic, if after removal there are frequent relapses or there is a risk of infecting a regular partner. Removal is also necessary in cases of urethral location of the formation. Penile papillomatosis can be cured only aesthetically. The virus itself can only be removed from the body by immunity. This happens in about half of cases after infection.
Removing papilloma is not yet a cure. Relapses often occur, and there are more tumors on the genital organ and they grow faster. It is important to carry out antiviral and immunostrengthening therapy simultaneously with removal in order to suppress the activity of the virus and reduce its concentration.
At home
Many people try to remove papillomas on their own by cauterizing them with one of the following products: “Clandestine” solution, vinegar essence 70%, lapis pencil.
This cannot be done for two reasons:
- Risk of skin damage with deep scar formation.
- Infection.
Self-cauterization without targeted treatment is of little use. The virus will remain in the blood, the aesthetic result will not last long, and the rash will appear again. Red spots and scars will take a long time to heal.
Under the supervision of a physician, it is possible to remove papillomas with cytotoxic drugs for local application:
- Podophyllin.
- 5-fluorouracil.
- Podophyllotoxin (“Condyllin”).
- Solcoderm solution with oxalic, acetic and lactic acids.
The replication of the virus is blocked by ointments “Viferon”, “Oxolin”, “Epigen”, “Panavir”. To stimulate the immune system, depending on the results of the immunogram, interferons and stimulators of their production, and vitamin complexes are prescribed.
Removal of papillomas on the penis
Clinics use the following methods for removing papillomas:
- A liquid nitrogen. The papilloma is cauterized by applying an applicator with a substance. Under the influence of ultra-low temperature, cryodestruction of the neoplasm occurs. No anesthesia is required. The downside is the uncontrolled spread of nitrogen around the condyloma, skin damage. The tumor does not fall off immediately, so there is no way to assess the completeness of removal; often the “bottom” of the papilloma remains. This method is gradually being replaced by more accurate ones.
- Electrocoagulation is the burning of tissue with high frequency currents. This method is traumatic and fades into the background, like cryodestruction.
- Laser method. Modern devices allow you to control the depth of penetration of the beam and completely remove the tumor. The laser beam efficiently removes growths, but there is a significant drawback - a high risk of subsequent tissue scarring.
- By radio waves. Tissue evaporation is carried out using the Surgitron apparatus. This method practically eliminates the risk of scarring, therefore it is considered optimal for removing papillomas on the penis. After treatment, a soft, bloodless crust is formed, healing proceeds quickly. The downside is the high cost.
Only very large papillomas or large clusters of them are removed with a metal, plasma or argon scalpel. Stitches are required after the procedure.
Video of papillomas removal using radio waves
Removal process. For small papillomas, external anesthesia is sufficient. The doctor applies anesthetic cream “Emla” or “Lidocaine spray” to the affected area. The effect of the drugs begins within 7-10 minutes. If the papillomas are large, the doctor will use injection anesthesia. The effect of the painkiller lasts about an hour.
After removal, crusts form, which come off within 2 weeks. The need and frequency of antiseptic treatments depends on the removal technique. After the radio wave, nothing is usually required. Throughout rehabilitation, it is important to abstain and take prescribed medications.
Examples of clinics and prices
Papillomas on the genitals of men can be removed free of charge at the district CVD or at your own expense in private clinics. As an example, here is the price list of the Moscow network “MedCenterService”:
"KDS-clinic" Moscow
Forecast
At the end of treatment, you need to donate blood and smears again. A positive result is determined when, according to test results, the virus is absent in the blood. In this case, the person is not contagious. It is also advisable to do a repeat immunogram to check whether all indicators are normal. If everything is in order, the patient goes under dynamic observation, that is, undergoes tests at the frequency specified by the doctor. With proper treatment, the virus will disappear from the blood, and tests will remain negative for many years.
The prognosis worsens if there are irreparable factors that weaken the immune system. These are systemic diseases, diabetes mellitus. Smoking and alcohol abuse play a negative role.
Symptoms
Papillomas on the penis look like small neoplasms (cauliflower-shaped), single or multiple, flesh-colored without pronounced signs. The man complains only about the unaesthetic appearance.
When papillomas form on the head of the penis, a certain discomfort, itching and burning occurs during intimacy . Huge condylomas cause pain at the slightest touch of the affected area and have an unpleasant odor.
The following stages are distinguished in the development of pathology:
- Phimosis.
- Accumulation of smegma and development of infection.
- Inflammation of the head and leaves of the foreskin
- Formation of erosive defects on the head of the penis and foreskin. This manifestation is considered the first stage of cancer.
Prevention
The main measures to prevent HPV infection are a monogamous relationship with a trusted partner and maintaining personal hygiene when visiting public places. Young people from 9 to 26 years old can get a vaccine that protects only against oncogenic types of the virus - Gardasil-4. The degree of protection is 97%. These vaccinations are most effective between the ages of 10 and 14 years. If the virus is already present, then vaccination is pointless. It should be noted that the drug provokes blood thickening, therefore it is contraindicated in persons with coagulation disorders and a tendency to thromboembolism.
An important protective measure is to strengthen the immune system, but not with drugs, but with a healthy lifestyle. Folk remedies to help: tincture of echinacea, ginseng, bee products.
Immunological treatment of papillomas
If the immune system works well, then, despite the fact of infection, papillomas will not grow.
That is, HPV is not activated.
According to statistics, young people aged fifteen to twenty-five years often self-heal within eight months to two years.
After the introduction of HPV DNA into the human genetic apparatus, a period of complete control of the virus over the host cells begins.
To treat HPV and prevent recurrence of papillomas, it is necessary to completely increase the immune status so that the body itself fights the virus.
They are also treated with interferon inducers – Liquimod and Virazol.
Antiviral drugs are ineffective.
Vaccination is more promising and effective, but it only works for young people who have not yet had sexual intercourse.
Preventive actions
Prevention of the occurrence of papilloma on the penis (photo shown above) includes:
- using a condom during sex;
- Contacts with one regular partner;
- careful care of the genitals;
- use of personal hygiene products;
- giving up bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
- maintaining a healthy lifestyle;
- maintaining a proper diet;
- diagnosing viral diseases in yourself and your partner;
- avoidance of stressful situations;
- regular preventive examinations with a urologist.
any disease than to treat it. A responsible attitude towards your health and a timely visit to a urologist when symptoms of the disease appear will help you avoid many serious complications.
Levomekol ointment
The drug is classified as a complex ointment. The ointment contains two active ingredients:
- chloramphenicol (antibiotic);
- methyluracil (immunostimulant).
“Levomekol” triggers skin renewal processes at the cellular level, and also restores water balance, blocks the growth and development of bacteria, and has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. Often, when using Levomekol ointment for 4-5 weeks, not the slightest trace remains of papillomas.
Diagnosis
If signs of papilloma are detected on the penis, you should immediately contact a urologist . The doctor evaluates the patient’s complaints, asks the necessary questions and conducts an examination. The urologist pays special attention to formations on the head of the penis, in the anus and in the perineum. To identify the cause of development and make an accurate diagnosis, a number of examinations are carried out. These include:
- microscopic examination;
- PCR diagnostics (determining the DNA of the virus and its type);
- cytological examination of smears and fluid;
- histological examination of tissues taken for biopsy (performed if oncogenic type HPV is detected).
Based on the results of examinations and visual examination, the doctor prescribes appropriate treatment, which should be started immediately.
