From warts to cancer. What are papillomas and why are they dangerous?
Papillomavirus (human papillomavirus - HPV) is a disease caused by a viral infection that affects the skin and mucous membranes.
The virus manifests itself in the form of warts, papillomas, condylomas of various shapes. The tumor consists of nodules and resembles cauliflower inflorescences or cockscombs. Skin papilloma can be both small (no more than 1 mm) and quite large (up to 2 cm). At the beginning of its development, the formation is flesh-colored, but acquires a brown tint over time. Warts are most common on the neck, groin folds, armpits, elbows, knees, head and around the eyes. Growths can also appear in inconspicuous places, for example, on the cervix, in the vagina, on the external genitals.
classification
This disease has been known since ancient Greece. Statistics so far indicate that only 1 in 10 people is not a carrier of any type of HPV.
To determine what type of virus you have, you need to see a doctor and pass the necessary tests.
routes of infection
The papilloma virus needs special conditions to penetrate the body. Infection occurs from person to person through direct contact. The greatest risk of transmission is during sexual contact, since the alkaline environment is conducive to the virus and microcracks on the genitals often occur.
Although it is more difficult to contract the papillomavirus in everyday life, there is a risk of transmission of the virus when the sick and the healthy use the same bath towel and washcloth. If someone in the family has contracted HPV, personal hygiene and precautions should always be observed.
The only manifestation of the papillomavirus is genital warts and flat papules, although there may be no visible manifestations of the virus.
risk factors
What to do if …
. . . if you accidentally injured or plucked the tumor, treat the wound with an antiseptic (brilliant green, alcohol solution); For the first 2-3 days, do not bother them with water treatments and do not cover them with a band-aid.
. . . if the growth bleeds, hurts, has increased in size - you need urgent help from a specialist.
The human papillomavirus is a risk factor for the development of cancer. First of all - cancer of the cervix, as well as the external genitalia.
But infection with papilloma does not necessarily lead to cancer. There are viruses with a low oncogenic risk - these are subtypes 6, 11, 42, 43, 44 (more often they appear in the form of pointed outgrowths - genital warts). Subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33 - have a high oncogenic risk, they form flat papules - warts. But from infection to malignant degeneration of the cells, it takes an average of 10-20 years.
Smoking, alcohol, obesity, hormonal disorders that reduce immunity can accelerate the pathological process. Sometimes a virus that has been dormant in the body for years can suddenly wake up from sleep.
Papilloma is driven to destructive changes by sexually transmitted infections: cytomegalovirus, genital herpes, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis.
Even banal inaccuracies can become a risk factor. Papillomas in the armpit, neck and face are often injured, after which they bleed and can become inflamed.
Frequent trauma to the papilloma can contribute to its degeneration into a malignant tumor.
If you have large papillomas on your body, which you often touch, this is a direct indication for their removal.
The importance and effectiveness of vaccination
Vaccination against papillomavirus is important to prevent cancer and genital warts in both men and women. Vaccinations also prevent precancerous lesions.
Vaccination against the papilloma virus reduces the risk of various diseases:
- cervical cancer- The special vaccine 4 reduces the risk of the disease by about 70%, and the vaccine 9, approved in Israel since academic year 5780 (2019-2020), can reduce the risk of the disease by about 90%.
- vaginal cancer– reduces the risk of disease by about 96%.
- penile cancer– reduces the risk of illness by approx. 99%.
- colon cancer- reduces the risk of disease by about 77%.
- Warts on the genitalsIn Australia, the vaccine reduced incidence by about 92% in girls under the age of 21 and by about 89% in boys aged 16 to 26.
- The vaccine also prevents the formation of warts on the genitals and larynx, which appear within a short time after infection.
Duration of protection of the vaccine
The vaccine is effective for at least 15 years, which is the amount of time that has elapsed since the vaccine was first used. Studies show that women who were vaccinated 15 years ago still have levels of antibodies that protect against the virus. Experts predict the vaccine will provide protection for years to come; possibly for life.
vaccination process
Vaccination against papillomavirus is carried out by intramuscular injection in the shoulder area, two or three doses for six months.
HPV vaccination is recommended for boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 26.
In special cases, on the recommendation of the attending physician, it is possible to vaccinate men and women aged 27-45 years.
It is important to get vaccinated at school age:
- The vaccine will not cure diseases that are due to an infection that occurred before vaccination and it is therefore important to get vaccinated before the risk of infection arises.
- Infection with the papilloma virus is possible during the first sexual contact, so it is important to get vaccinated before starting sexual activity.
- The best immune response is achieved with vaccination at school age compared to vaccination at older ages.
Vaccination against the HPV papillomavirus as part of the vaccination program in schools
- Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, boys and girls in the 8th grade of the school will be vaccinated with Vaccine 9 in two doses six months apart.
- Vaccination has been carried out in recent years: from the 2015-2016 school year to the 2018-2019 school year, boys and girls in the 8th grade of the school were vaccinated with vaccine 4. In school years 2014-2015 girls were vaccinated with vaccine 4 in the 8th grade of school. 2013- In the 2014 school year, 8th grade girls at the school and 9th grade girls at the Public Health Department were vaccinated with the Cervarix vaccine.
vaccination of boys
The recommendation to vaccinate boys and not just girls follows the same reasons girls are vaccinated:
- To protect girls and boys from cancer and genital warts caused by viruses
- To prevent human-to-human transmission of the virus
Vaccination of children not vaccinated at school
We recommend that children who have not been vaccinated at school get vaccinated against HPV.
The Ministry of Health recommends that girls born in 1999 or later and boys born in 2002 or later who have not yet completed their full vaccination course are vaccinated.
- 9th grade students- The vaccination is carried out free of charge by health care providers for students at the place of residence.
- Pupils from class 10 under 18 years– The vaccination is carried out free of charge at the health department of the Ministry of Health at the place of residence.
- Over 18 years– you can get vaccinated by the health insurance company for a fee.
Children who received only one dose of vaccine in Grade 8 should receive an additional vaccination with a second dose after at least six months.
Children in 8th grade who receive two doses within less than five months should receive an additional dose of a third dose at least 12 weeks after the second dose.
Beginning in grade 9, unvaccinated children are vaccinated by giving three doses (instead of two, since the response to the vaccine is better at a younger age). The recommended time interval between the first and second serving is one to two months and between the second and third serving is five months.
It is recommended to vaccinate adults up to 26 years of age.
Adults who have received a dose of the vaccine in the past should be supplemented according to their age at the time of vaccination.
Do not vaccinate at the same time as other vaccinations.
It is not necessary to test for HPV infection before vaccination.
vaccine safety
HPV vaccines only contain an empty shell of the virus and do not contain the genetic material (DNA) of the virus - therefore they are safe and there is no possibility of infection with the HPV papillomavirus during vaccination.