From warts to cancer. What are papillomas and why are they dangerous?
Papilloma virus (human papilloma virus - 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 florets or rooster's honeycomb. Skin papilloma can be small (no more than 1 mm) and quite large (up to 2 cm). At the beginning of its development, the formation has the color of flesh, but over time it acquires a brown shade. Warts most often 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 is not a carrier of any type of HPV.
To determine which type of virus you have, you need to see a doctor and undergo the necessary tests.
Modes of infection
Papillomavirus needs special conditions to infiltrate the body. Infection occurs from person to person through direct contact. The greatest risk of transmission is through sexual contact, since an 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 transmitting the virus if sick and healthy people use the same towel and bath towel. If someone in the family is sick with 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 a tumor, treat the wound with an antiseptic (brilliant green, alcohol solution). For the first 2-3 days, do not disturb it with water procedures and do not cover it with a plaster.
. . . if the growth bleeds, hurts, has increased in size - you need to 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 external genitalia.
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 (they appear more often in the form of spiky growths - genital warts). Subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33 - have a high oncogenic risk, form flat papules - warts. But it takes an average of 10-20 years from infection to malignant cell degeneration.
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 its slumber.
Papillomas are pushed to destructive changes by sexually transmitted infections: cytomegalovirus, genital herpes, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis.
Also, banal inaccuracy 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 that you often touch, this is a direct indication for their removal.
The importance and effectiveness of vaccination
Vaccination against papillomavirus is important for the prevention of cancer and genital warts in men and women. Also, vaccines prevent the occurrence of 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 academic year (2019 - 2020), can reduce the risk of disease by approximately 90%.
- Cancer of the vagina– 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 warts on the genitals and in the larynx, which appear shortly after infection.
Duration of protection provided by the vaccine
Vaccination is effective for a period of at least 15 years, which is the time period that has elapsed since the first use of the vaccine. Research shows that women who were vaccinated 15 years ago still have levels of antibodies that protect against the virus. Experts predict that the vaccine will provide protection for years to come; possibly for life.
Vaccination process
Vaccination against the papilloma virus is carried out by intramuscular injection in the shoulder area, two or three portions over a period of six months.
Vaccination against HPV is recommended for boys and girls aged 9 to 26 years.
In special cases, on the recommendation of a doctor, it is possible to vaccinate men and women aged 27-45.
It is important to get vaccinated at school age:
- The vaccine does not treat diseases caused by an infection that occurred before vaccination, so it is important to get vaccinated before there is a risk of infection.
- Papilloma virus infection is possible during the first sexual contact, and therefore it is important to get vaccinated before starting sexual activity.
- The best immune response is achieved by 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 2019-2020 school year. year, boys and girls in the 8th grade of school will be vaccinated with vaccine 9, in two portions with an interval of six months.
- Vaccinations were carried out in the past years: From the 2015-2016 school year. year and until the school year 2018-2019. year, boys and girls were vaccinated in the 8th grade of school with vaccine 4. In the 2014-2015 school year. girls were vaccinated in the 8th grade of school with vaccine 4. In the 2013-2014 school year, girls were vaccinated with the Cervarix vaccine in the 8th grade of school, and girls in the 9th grade at the Institute of Health.
Vaccination of boys
The recommendation to vaccinate boys, and not only girls, follows for the same reasons for vaccinating girls:
- To protect girls and boys from cancer and genital warts caused by a virus
- To prevent the transmission of the virus from person to person
Vaccination of children who were not vaccinated at school
We recommend that children who have not been vaccinated at school be vaccinated against HPV.
The Ministry of Health recommends that girls born in 1999 or later be vaccinated, 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 workers for students in their place of residence, free of charge.
- Students 10th grade and older who are under 18 years of age- Vaccination will be carried out at the Institute of Health of the Ministry of Health at the place of residence, free of charge.
- Older than 18 years- you can get vaccinated in the health insurance fund, with an additional fee.
Children who received only one dose of the vaccine in the 8th grade should receive an additional vaccination with a second dose at least six months later.
Children who receive two doses in the 8th grade within a period of less than five months should receive an additional vaccination with a third dose, at least 12 weeks after the second dose.
From the 9th grade and above, unvaccinated children are vaccinated with 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 portion is one to two months, and between the second and third portion is five months.
Vaccination of adults up to 26 years of age is recommended.
Adults who have previously received one dose of the vaccine should complete the vaccination according to the 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 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 papilloma virus during vaccination.