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 different shapes. The tumor consists of nodules and looks like cauliflower florets or roosters. Cutaneous papilloma can be both small (no more than 1 mm) and quite large (up to 2 cm). At the beginning of its development, the entity has a body color, but over time it acquires a brown hue. Most often, warts appear on the neck, in the inguinal folds, armpits, elbows, knees, head and around the eyes. Also, growths can be in inconspicuous places, for example, on the cervix, in the vagina, on the external genitalia.
Classification
This disease has been known since ancient Greece. To date, statistics say that only 1 in 10 people do not carry any type of HPV.
To determine what type of virus you have, you must visit a doctor and undergo the necessary tests.
Ways of infection
The papillomavirus needs special conditions to penetrate the body. Infection occurs from person to person through direct contact. The greatest danger of transmission is through sexual contact, since the alkaline environment is beneficial for the virus and there are often microcracks on the genitals.
In everyday life, it is more difficult to get infected with the papilloma virus, but there is a risk of transmission of the virus if sick and healthy people use the same towel and bath towel. If someone in the family has HPV, personal hygiene and precautions should always be followed.
The only manifestation of 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 damaged or pulled out the tumor, treat the wound with an antiseptic (brilliant green, alcohol solution). For the first 2-3 days, do not disturb her with water treatments and do not stick her with a plaster.
. . . if the growth bleeds, hurts, has increased in size - you should urgently seek help from a specialist.
Human papillomavirus is a risk factor for the development of cancer. First of all - cancer of the cervix, as well as of the external genital organs.
But a papilloma infection 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 growths - genital warts). Subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33 - have a high oncogenic risk, form flat papules - warts. But from infection to malignant degeneration of cells, on average, 10-20 years pass.
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 awaken from its slumber.
Papilloma is prompted to destructive changes by sexually transmitted infections: cytomegalovirus, genital herpes, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis.
In addition, banal inaccuracy can become a risk factor. Papillomas in the armpits, neck and face are often injured, then 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 that 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 men and women. In addition, vaccines prevent precancerous conditions.
Vaccination against papillomavirus reduces the risk of various diseases:
- Cervical cancer- Special vaccine 4 reduces the risk of disease by approximately 70%, and vaccine 9, approved for use in Israel from the 5780 school year (2019 - 2020), can reduce the risk of disease by approximately 90%.
- Vaginal cancer– reduces the risk of disease by approximately 96%.
- Penile cancer– reduces the risk of disease by approximately 99%.
- Rectal cancer- reduces the risk of disease by approximately 77%.
- Genital wartsIn Australia, among girls under 21 years of age, the vaccine reduced incidence by approximately 92% and among boys aged 16-26 by approximately 89%.
- The vaccine also prevents the formation of warts on the genitals and in the larynx, which appear within a short period after infection.
Duration of protection provided by the vaccine
Vaccination is effective for a period of at least 15 years, which is the time that has passed since the vaccine was first used. Studies show that women 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 over six months.
HPV vaccination is recommended for boys and girls ages 9 to 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 does not treat diseases resulting from an infection that occurred before vaccination, so it is important to get vaccinated before the risk of infection arises.
- Infection with the papilloma virus is possible during the first sexual contact, and therefore it is important to get vaccinated before the start of sexual life.
- The best immune response is achieved with vaccination at school age, compared to vaccination at an older age.
Vaccination against HPV papillomavirus as part of the vaccination program in schools
- From the school year 2019-2020, the school's 8th grade boys and girls will be vaccinated with vaccine 9, in two doses six months apart.
- In the past years, vaccinations were carried out: From the school year 2015-2016 to the school year 2018-2019, boys and girls in the 8th grade of the school were vaccinated with vaccine 4. In the 2014-2015 school year, the girls were vaccinated in the 8th grade ofthe school with vaccine 4. In the 2013-2014 school year, girls were vaccinated with the Cervarix vaccine in the 8th grade of the school, and girls in the 9th grade in the health service.
Vaccination of boys
The recommendation to vaccinate boys and not just girls follows the same reasons why girls are vaccinated:
- To protect girls and boys from cancer and genital warts caused by a virus
- To prevent person-to-person transmission of the virus
Vaccination of children who are not vaccinated at school
We recommend that children who are not vaccinated at school be vaccinated against HPV.
The Department of Health recommends vaccinating girls born in 1999 or later and boys born in 2002 or later who have not completed the full vaccination course.
- 9th grade students- Vaccination will be carried out by health facilities for students at their place of residence, free of charge.
- Students in 10th grade and above who are under 18 years of age- Vaccination will be carried out at the Health Service of the Ministry of Health at the place of residence, free of charge.
- Over 18 years old– you can be vaccinated by the health fund, for a fee.
Children who received only one dose of vaccine in 8th grade should receive a booster vaccination with a second dose at least six months later.
Children who receive two doses in 8th grade within a period of less than five months should receive a booster vaccination with a third dose at least 12 weeks after the second dose.
From 9th grade and up, unvaccinated children are vaccinated by administering three doses (instead of two, because the response to the vaccine is better at a younger age). The recommended time interval between the first and second servings is one to two months, and between the second and third servings is five months.
It is recommended to vaccinate adults up to 26 years of age.
Adults who have received one dose of the vaccine in the past should receive a booster dose according to their age at the time of vaccination.
Do not vaccinate at the same time as other vaccinations.
It is not necessary to check for HPV infection before vaccination.
Vaccine safety
HPV vaccines contain only the empty envelope of the virus and do not contain the genetic material (DNA) of the virus - therefore they are safe and there is no possibility of contracting the HPV papilloma virus during vaccination.