Papillomas and condylomas are small growths on the skin of a viral nature. You need to be able to tell them apart in order to spot potentially dangerous formations in a timely manner and take necessary action. The main thing that distinguishes papilloma from condyloma is the type of virus-pathogen.
Causes of neoplasms
The human papillomavirus (HPV) has more than a hundred different strains. HPV enters the body through home contact or through unprotected sex. It is possible for the child to be infected by the mother when passing through the birth canal.
The formation of growths indicates the rapid division of cells in the basal layer of the skin. This occurs under the influence of a virus, whose activation, in most cases, is associated with a decrease in immune defense. Depending on the strain, papillomas or condylomas appear on the body.
Characteristics of papillomas
Papilloma is a benign neoplasm that does not cause discomfort, except for aesthetic reasons. Characteristics of papillomas:
- smooth homogeneous structure;
- the presence of a leg;
- small size (up to 10mm in diameter);
- moderate pigmentation.
Papillomas are located anywhere in the body except the mucous membranes of the genitals. As a rule, the color of the tumor varies from a natural skin tone to a pinkish-red tone; however, highly pigmented papillomas are not a pathology either. The growth of hair on the body of a papilloma is a variant of the norm.
Papillomas are not dangerous if they do not interfere with the patient and are not accidentally injured in everyday life. The formation of growths of this type is due to the action of strains 2, 7 and 28 of the virus. You can become infected with these types of HPV in everyday life and during sexual intercourse.
Characteristics of Genital Warts
Warts are of two types - sharp and broad growths. The first type appears with HPV infection, and large growths are one of the symptoms of syphilis.
The locations of genital warts are the mucous membranes, mainly in the urogenital region, as well as the skin folds that are subject to friction with clothing.
The structure of genital warts is papillary. The formations are attached to a thin stalk, the growths are fed by small vessels and capillaries. Unlike papillomas, condylomas are often inflamed and ulceration of the growing body is possible.
Genital warts are caused by 16, 18, 54 strains of the virus. These types of HPV are potentially dangerous, especially for women. There is a direct relationship between these types of viruses and the development of cervical cancer. Infection occurs through sexual intercourse.
How to distinguish papilloma from genital warts?
The external difference between the growths is easy to notice in the photo - papillomas are homogeneous, while condylomas have a finely papillary structure.
- The difference between papilloma and warts is in the color of the tumor. Papillomas can be highly pigmented, the color of the warts is usually light and does not differ from the mucous membranes.
- HPV, which causes the development of papillomas, is transmitted by household contact, with the use of personal hygiene products, and even by shaking hands (in the presence of skin microtrauma). Warts are only sexually transmitted.
- Warts inflame. Papillomas may increase in size, acquire signs of inflammation and pain, but only as a result of a traumatic effect.
- The shape of papillomas is predominantly a round or oval "head" located on a soft stem. Condylomata have irregular outlines and can be grouped together. For genital warts, the narrowing from the stem to the tip is characteristic, which allows them to be distinguished from papillomas.
- The appearance of tumors of different types is due to different strains of the virus.
It is important to remember the main difference between papilloma and warts - tumors on the genitals and mucous membranes must be removed.
Why are booms dangerous?
Papillomas and condylomas are conventionally considered safe skin neoplasms, but the risk of degeneration from benign cells to malignant cells is greater in the second case.
Condylomas are cutaneous manifestations of the action of oncogenic types of the virus. Years of research have identified a relationship between HPV and cervical cancer. Timely diagnosis with subsequent removal of genital warts helps to significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer in women.
Tumors can be located not only in the skin and external genitals, but also in the vagina and cervix. Due to the peculiarities of blood circulation in the genitals, condyloma receives sufficient nutrition and can grow rapidly. In gynecology, there are cases in which condylomas located on the wall of the vagina reach up to 10 cm in diameter.
Removal Indications
Warts should be removed, even if they don't cause discomfort. This is mainly due to the risk of infection in the sexual partner.
Removing papillomas located on the skin, or not, is a personal matter for each patient. The risk of benign papilloma degeneration in an oncologic neoplasm increases when the growing body is damaged. This can be caused by rubbing on clothing, accidental damage to nails or a cloth during hygiene procedures.
You should see a dermatologist if:
- the papilloma has greatly increased in size;
- when pressed, discomfort is felt;
- bleeding or purulent discharge is seen;
- the skin around the tumor becomes inflamed.
Removal of buildup takes five minutes. The procedure is almost painless. It is important to understand that timely diagnosis will allow timely detection of the onset of cell degeneration and halt the development of oncology.
How are build-ups removed?
Any skin growth should be removed by a professional. Self-cautery of papillomas with the help of folk remedies is not always effective. Removal of genital warts at home is strictly prohibited.
Before the procedure, it is necessary to carry out a series of exams. First, the patient's blood is examined to determine the type of virus that caused the neoplasms to develop.
With multiple condylomas, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This allows you to stop the spread of the virus and adjust the immune system to fight HPV. To get rid of genital warts, ointments with an immunostimulant in the composition (eg interferon-based medications) help. These medications are available in the form of suppositories, which allow you to successfully fight growths on the walls of the vagina.
Methods to remove buildup:
- cryodestruction;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser burning;
- removal with a radio knife;
- scalpel excision.
When genital warts are removed, tissue obtained from the procedure is sent for histological analysis. Therefore, surgical excision or laser removal is indicated.
Electrocoagulation is a cauterization of neoplasms. The method worked well for removing small papillomas.
Cryodestruction is used to remove neoplasms from the skin but not from the mucous membranes. Liquid nitrogen is applied to growth, which causes cell necrosis; as a result, the papilloma simply disappears.
Radio wave or radio knife removal is an effective and almost painless method to remove genital warts. Under the influence of radio waves, neoplasm cells are destroyed. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Laser burning of genital warts is indicated in the presence of a large number of growths. The advantages of the method are the cauterization of the vessels and capillaries that feed the formation. As a result of exposure, no traces remain on the skin, the risk of bleeding is excluded. Complete restoration of the epidermis after removal occurs within 5-7 days.
To remove genital warts, folk remedies are not used due to the high risk of damage to the mucous membranes by aggressive components of the composition. Alkaline pharmaceutical preparations are also prohibited.
To find out how warts differ from papillomas, a photo will help. It is recommended that you consult your doctor if formations appear on the genitals and do not try to remove them yourself.