Cervical papilloma is a benign growth that occurs when the structure of epithelial cells changes. Growing on the neck of the papilloma can be caused by oncogenic or non-oncogenic strains of HPV.
If a virus with a high oncogenic activity is present in the body, the risk of cancer cells appearing on the cervix is multiplied, therefore the papillomatosis of growth on the external and internal genital organs in a woman should not remain without examination and treatment.
How is the virus transmitted?
Human papillomavirus is the smallest microorganism with several major transmission routes, it is:
- Sexual pathway, that is, sexual contact. More often the virus is transmitted at normal genital contact, but its penetration into the epithelium is possible with oral or anal sex. The microorganism lives in saliva and is therefore able to move from a sick person to a healthy one through a kiss.
- Household transmission path. HPV for a long time in a viable state is preserved in an environment where there are optimal conditions for humidity and temperature. In this regard, the use of someone else's towels, scissors, trying on someone else's underwear and underwear can lead to transmission of infection. The virus is easily transmitted in baths, health clubs, swimming pools.
- Vertical. This term indicates the variant of infection, in which a child who is born receives an infection from his mother while passing through the birth canal.
Do not assume that mechanical contraception can completely exclude the possibility of infection with HPV.Condoms are made of latex, and this material has pores slightly larger in size than the virus itself and therefore it does not limit its movement.
It is believed that using a condom can protect sexual partners from HPV only in 70% of cases.
The risk of contracting a virus is high in those women who have increased sexual activity, leading to a frequent change of partners. Harmful habits weaken the body and are also considered predisposing factors to the penetration of any infectious microorganism.
Causes of human papillomavirus in the cervix
As already mentioned, the main reason for the appearance of papillomas( genital warts) on the cervix is a virus. It is difficult to establish the exact time of penetration of the causative agent of papillomatous infection into the body, since the latent period of the development of the disease can last for several months.
Some infected women experience self-destruction of the virus for one to two years. This happens with good immunity, the absence of chronic gynecological problems.
Activation of the virus, that is, its multiplication in epithelial cells with subsequent disruption of their structure leads to the appearance of papillate growths.
Photo of papillomas on the cervix
Stimulating an increase in the activity of HPV may have several predisposing factors, they include:
- Significant deterioration in the functioning of the immune system.
- Prolonged stress and depressive conditions.
- Acute infectious diseases.
- Pathology of the digestive tract.
- Long-term use of contraceptives with hormones. Such drugs change the hormonal background, which adversely affects the work of the genitals.
- Venereal diseases - chlamydia, gonorrhea, ureplazmoz, trichomoniasis.
- Cervical erosion.
Papillomas on the cervix develop under the influence of several strains of the virus. The most dangerous of them is the virus of 16 and 18 types, if these strains are present in the body of the woman, then the probability of cervical cancer multiply increases.
But it is necessary to treat even those genital warts that develop under the influence of strains with low oncogenic activity. The localization of papillomas within the body can lead to their infection with the spread of the inflammatory process to a number of located structures.
Symptoms of HPV of the cervix
Papillomas localized in women on the cervix can be pointed or flat.
There are several more variants of the development of HPV in the genital organs in women, the virus can cause intraepithelial neoplasia or dysplasia, these are precancerous conditions. The worst prognosis for the development of cancer of the cervical canal.
Identification of genital warts, that is, elongated proliferation, refers to the acute period of papillomatosis. This indicates that the activation of the virus occurred recently and requires observation and treatment.
Genital warts most often do not grow one by one, several formations can merge into one large growth with a tuberous surface similar to cauliflower.
Sometimes, from the moment of development of the first papillomas on the neck and until the appearance of an entire papilliform tumor, only a few hours pass. Genital warts can be injured during sexual acts, which causes some soreness and bleeding.
Flat warts on the cervix by gynecologists are evaluated as a result of chronic pathology. In this case, a malignant process is not excluded, it can be identified by histological examination of the material taken from a biopsy. The risk of transformation of epithelial cells into cancer increases, if papillomas are combined with erosion of the cervix.
Some women who have genital warts on the cervix pay attention to the appearance of the following changes:
- Some burning and itching inside the vagina. Unpleasant odor.
- Soreness during sexual intercourse.
- Suppositories after sex.
- Periodically occurring minor pains in the lower abdomen.
Any change in state of health is a sufficient reason to come to an appointment with a gynecologist. Only a visual examination and a series of examinations will help to establish the cause of the disturbing pathology.
Features of the disease during pregnancy
The high prevalence of the virus among the population does not exclude its detection among pregnant women.
Moreover, HPV activation often occurs during the waiting period of the baby, and this is due to the deterioration of the immune system and to the changing hormonal background.
The resulting or increasing in size and quantity of warts on the body does not pose any threat to the future child. Naturally, for a woman this is unpleasant, but after giving birth, usually all the viral outgrowths pass by themselves.
More concern in terms of health should deliver the papilloma on the cervix or vagina. These sprouting contain a large amount of active virus, which can pass to the child at birth.
Sometimes the body of the baby copes with the infection itself and therefore, no manifestations of HPV he will not. In rare cases, getting the virus into the respiratory tract leads to the development of laryngeal papillomatosis, this disease can be complicated by suffocation during a respiratory infection.
The decision to treat a woman during pregnancy for cervical papilloma is taken by the doctor on the basis of examination and diagnostic procedures. In the first half of pregnancy, antiviral and other treatments are not taken, as there is a possibility of toxic effects of medications on the fetus.
If treatment is absolutely necessary, then it is suggested to pass it to a woman at an early stage of pregnancy by removing papillomas. If the papilloma reaches the size that prevents normal childbirth, then the caesarean section is usually chosen.
Diagnosis of
Papillomas on the cervix are diagnosed at the beginning with gynecological examination. It is necessary cytological examination of the smear taken, this method of diagnosis allows you to identify precancerous and cancerous changes in the neck.
If a colposcopy is detected in the neck of the phenomenon of ectopia and leukoplakia, the patient is recommended to be examined for HPV.
Human papilloma virus is detected by the PCR method, which allows to establish and strain the microorganism. Immunofluorescence analysis allows you to determine the oncoprotein in a material taken from the cervical canal.
Treatment measures
Treatment of cervical papillomavirus for each patient is selected individually. Of decisive importance in the choice of therapy is the age of the woman, her immune status, the type of papilloma, her localization, the analysis data.
When identifying HPV of a high oncogenic type necessarily comprehensive treatment, which includes not only the removal of formations, but also antiviral treatment. Before you designate one of the methods of removing the papilloma, you must treat all sexual infections.
Antiviral treatment is provided by such drugs as Podofillin, Condilin. Interferons are also used to enhance the body's own antiviral activity. Strengthening the body with the help of adaptogens also allows to increase the effectiveness of treatment. Some patients during the period of therapy are recommended to take sedatives.
Currently, there is no medicine that can completely remove the virus from the body. But compliance with the prescribed treatment allows you to transfer the infection to an inactive state, in which it can not harm the woman's body.
If a woman has oncogenic strains of the virus, the test should be repeated periodically to make sure that the papilloma of the cervix is under control.
Prevention of papillomavirus infection
Nonspecific methods of preventing papillomavirus infection include a good state of immunity, preventing the appearance of microcracks on the skin, their rapid elimination, and personal hygiene.
It should be remembered that the presence of only one sexual partner reduces the risk of transmission of the virus.
Specific methods of prevention include vaccination. The introduction of the vaccine is recommended to be carried out before the age of sexual activity, since this drug can not remove the virus that has already entered the body.
Forecast
If the papilloma of the cervix is identified at an early stage, removed and the patient received the necessary treatment, then the prognosis is favorable.
In case of detection of precancerous changes, it is necessary to be checked repeatedly after the course of therapy in order to exclude the risk of development of malignant lesions.
Cervical cancer is easily treated in the first stages and in this case, virtually no recurrence of the disease. In neglected cases, in addition to the removal of the organ itself, chemoprocedures and radiation therapy are prescribed, the sessions of which can be repeated many times.
What is the danger of human papillomavirus, will tell the following video: