Genital Condyloma Wart
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)
İçerik
- Genital Condyloma Wart
- What is HPV?
- What Are the Types of HPV?
- What are genital warts and condyloma?
- What are the symptoms of penile and anal cancer?
- What causes genital warts?
- How can a man tell if he has HPV?
- How long can you carry HPV without knowing?
- Preventing HPV
- HPV Infection Risks in Men
- Symptoms of HPV in Men
- How Are Genital Warts Diagnosed? HPV Tests for Men
- Treatment of HPV Infection in Men
- How is HPV managed in relationships?
- How Can HPV Transmission Be Prevented?
- Frequently Asked Questions For Genital Condyloma
What is HPV?
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus. HPV can easily spread between partners during sexual activity.
Most of us who are sexually active are likely to have had HPV at some point in our lives, but we may not have noticed it.
The virus has even been found in women who have never been sexually active.
The word "papilloma" means wart or tissue growth, which is why HPV is sometimes referred to as the "wart virus."
What Are the Types of HPV?
There are over 200 types of HPV (human papillomavirus). All HPV types can only live in specific cells called "squamous epithelial cells." These cells are normal cells found on the skin surface (cutaneous) and on moist surfaces or mucous membranes (mucosal membranes or mucosal surfaces).
Different HPV types are identified by numbers and divided into two groups based on the type of cells they infect: those that infect cutaneous (skin) cells and those that infect mucosal (genital) cells.
Skin HPV Types
Many HPV types are cutaneous, meaning they infect and live on skin cells. Cutaneous HPV can cause warts on the skin's surface in areas such as the hands, feet, arms, and legs. These are common warts that appear only on the skin and are not the same as genital warts.
Genital HPV Types
Mucous membranes are thin, moist layers that line body openings and keep them moist. These areas include:
- The vagina, anus, cervix (opening of the uterus), and vulva (area around the vagina)
- The inner part of the penis, including the foreskin and urethra
- The inner surface of the nose, mouth, and throat
- The trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (smaller airways branching off from the trachea)
- The inner surface of the eyelids
Mucosal HPV types infect cells on these surfaces. They are often referred to as genital or anogenital HPV types because they mostly affect the anus and genital area. However, they can also infect the mucous membranes lining the inside of the mouth and throat.
Mucosal (genital) HPV types are also classified as low-risk and high-risk types; this classification is based on their potential to cause cancer.
1.Low-Risk Genital HPV Types
HPV Types 6 and 11 are low-risk HPV types. These types typically cause genital warts and rarely lead to cancer. A low-risk genital HPV infection can cause cauliflower-like warts around the genital or anal area. These warts may also appear in hard-to-see areas such as the cervix or vagina.
2.High-Risk Genital HPV Types
HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, and 42 are examples of high-risk HPV types and can cause cancer. These HPV types can sometimes evade the body's immune system and not be cleared from the body. In such cases, the infection can persist for a long time and cause damage to normal cells, leading to these cells gradually becoming abnormal over time; this can eventually lead to cancer. High-risk HPV types are known to cause six different types of cancer: cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal (mouth and throat) cancers.
- Cervical cancer: Almost all cases are caused by HPV; it can be prevented through regular screening and vaccination.
- Vaginal cancer: Most cases are associated with HPV; it can be detected in the precancerous stage.
- Vulvar cancer: Rarer; typically detected during a physical examination.
- Penis cancer: More common in HIV-positive men and men who have sex with men.
- Anal cancer: Affects both women and men; more common in certain risk groups.
- Oral and throat (oropharyngeal) cancers: The most common HPV-related cancer in men; typically develops in the back of the throat.
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What are genital warts and condyloma?
Some types of HPV can cause genital warts. These warts may appear as flesh-colored, painless, cauliflower-like skin growths. Warts are usually small and may be difficult to notice. Their appearance can vary: they may be flat or bumpy, large or small. Sometimes there is only one wart, and sometimes there are several.
The HPV types that cause these warts are called "low-risk" because they are almost never associated with genital or anal cancer.
Other HPV types are called "high-risk" and can cause cell changes in the penis and anus that are not visible to the naked eye. However, these changes are rare, and penile and anal cancers are quite uncommon.
What are the symptoms of penile and anal cancer?
Penile cancers usually appear as lesions or masses on the head, shaft, or foreskin of the penis. Lesions may be flat or raised; they are typically reddish in appearance, may be irritated or painful, and can vary in size and distribution. Symptoms of anal cancer may include bleeding, itching, discharge, or pain in the anus or rectum; a lump or swelling in the anus; swollen lymph nodes in the groin or anus; or changes in bowel habits.
Remember that there are many other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. If you have concerns, consult a healthcare professional.
Although not routinely performed, some experts recommend annual anal smear (Pap) tests for men at higher risk of anal cancer (e.g., men who have sex with men). In this test, a swab is inserted into the anus to collect a sample of cells. The sample is sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope.
What causes genital warts?
Genital warts are caused by the HPV virus and are spread through skin-to-skin contact. Genital HPV can also be transmitted through vaginal and anal sex, as well as less risky sexual activities that do not involve penetration.
HPV can also be transmitted through oral sex; however, oral HPV infections are less common.
Most sexually active men and women will encounter HPV at some point in their lives, and like the common cold and flu viruses, the body usually clears the virus on its own within a few months.
There are two main ways to prevent HPV-related diseases:
- Getting vaccinated
- Practicing safe sex
Most information about the HPV virus (human papillomavirus) focuses on women because having this virus increases the risk of cervical cancer in women. However, the HPV virus in men can also cause health problems.
HPV infection can increase the risk of developing genital cancer in men; however, these cancers are not common. HPV can also cause genital warts in men, just as it does in women.
More than half of sexually active men will have HPV at some point in their lives. Most of the time, men clear the virus on their own without experiencing any health problems.
How common is HPV?
Very common! Researchers estimate that more than 70% of sexually active people will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives.
Is HPV dangerous?
Most infections clear up on their own without causing any harm. However, the types of cancer associated with HPV and its rapid spread classify it as a dangerous sexually transmitted disease.
How can a man tell if he has HPV?
When examining men, healthcare professionals carefully examine the genital area. Warts can be small and difficult to detect; sometimes it can be challenging to distinguish warts from normal skin growths or pimples.
If you think you have warts or have been exposed to HPV, consult a healthcare professional. They will perform a more detailed examination and may use a magnifying glass to identify small warts.
If one partner has HPV or a related condition (such as warts or cell changes), the other partner does not necessarily need to see a doctor. This is because there is no specific treatment for HPV if there are no symptoms. However, it is a good idea to have a specialist evaluate the condition to ensure that any lesions that may have been overlooked are properly assessed.
HPV in Relationships
If one person in a relationship has HPV, it is likely that their partner also has the virus.
How long can you carry HPV without knowing?
It is not unusual for HPV to be present even in long-term, monogamous relationships. Symptoms may appear or the virus may be detected weeks, months, or even years after exposure to HPV. For this reason, it is often very difficult, if not impossible, to identify the source of the infection.
Remember, nearly everyone who is sexually active will experience HPV infection at least once in their lifetime. It is nearly impossible to be sexually active and never come into contact with HPV.
Unutmayın, cinsel olarak aktif neredeyse herkes yaşamı boyunca bir ya da daha fazla kez HPV enfeksiyonu geçirir. Cinsel olarak aktif olup da HPV ile hiç karşılaşmamak neredeyse imkânsızdır.
Preventing HPV
1- Get vaccinated:
The HPV vaccine protects against both low-risk and high-risk types of HPV. The HPV vaccine can prevent more than 90% of HPV-related cancers. Both men and women should get vaccinated. The vaccine is recommended for boys and girls aged 11–12. Catch-up vaccination is available up to age 26.
The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has also approved the vaccine for adults aged 27–45.
Since HPV types 16 and 18 are the most common types that cause cancer, the vaccine developed to target these two types is called the bivalent vaccine. The vaccine that includes types 6 and 11 in addition to types 16 and 18 is called the quadrivalent vaccine.
A more recently developed vaccine includes the 6, 11, 16, and 18 strains, plus five additional strains with a lower risk of causing cancer, making it a nonavalent vaccine.
2- Use condoms:
Using condoms correctly during every sexual encounter reduces the risk of many sexually transmitted diseases, including HPV. However, be aware that HPV can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact and can infect areas not covered by a condom.
HPV Infection Risks in Men
Some types of HPV associated with genital cancers can cause anal or penile cancer in men. Both types of cancer are rare, especially in men with healthy immune systems. Gay and bisexual men who are sexually active have approximately 17 times the risk of anal cancer compared to men who only have sex with women. Men who are HIV-positive are also at higher risk of developing this cancer.
Most cancers found in the back of the throat, particularly the base of the tongue and tonsils, are associated with HPV. In fact, these are the most common HPV-related cancers in men. Over 13,000 new cases are diagnosed in men each year.
Other types of HPV rarely cause cancer in men; however, they can cause genital warts.
Symptoms of HPV in Men
High-risk types of HPV that can cause cancer usually do not cause any symptoms in men or women. The first symptom of low-risk types of HPV, which do not cause cancer but can cause warts, is genital warts.
How Are Genital Warts Diagnosed? HPV Tests for Men
To diagnose genital warts in men, the doctor will visually examine the genital area to check for warts. Sometimes normal skin or pimple-like structures may be mistaken for warts.
To identify high-risk HPV types that can cause cancer in men, a swab sample may be taken from the area with warts and tested using PCR for HPV typing. Some doctors recommend anal smear (Pap) tests for gay and bisexual men at high risk of anal cancer due to HPV. In an anal smear test, the doctor takes a cell sample from the anus, which is then examined in a laboratory for abnormalities.
Treatment of HPV Infection in Men
There is no treatment for HPV infection in men unless symptoms are present. Instead, doctors treat the health problems caused by HPV.
When genital warts appear, various treatments may be used. The patient may apply prescription creams at home. Alternatively, the doctor may surgically remove the warts and burn them with an electrocautery device or laser, or freeze them to destroy them.
How is HPV managed in relationships?
If a man has a long-term sexual partner with HPV, he is likely to have been infected and probably has the virus himself. HPV is easier to clear from the body in men than in women. In general, women can clear the virus within two years or less.
HPV types associated with cervical cancer typically do not cause health problems in heterosexual men who have had sexual contact with an HPV-infected woman.
The presence of HPV in a partner does not necessarily mean they have recently had sexual contact with someone else. The virus can remain in the body for years without causing any symptoms.
How Can HPV Transmission Be Prevented?
The only sure way to prevent HPV infection is abstinence from sexual activity. The risk of HPV infection can only be reduced by having sex with someone who is not infected and has only had one sexual partner.
Men can reduce their risk of HPV infection by limiting the number of sexual partners they have and choosing partners who have had few or no previous partners.
Condoms can provide some protection against HPV transmission. Unfortunately, they are not 100% effective because HPV is primarily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. The virus can infect skin that is not covered by a condom.
In a study of young women who had recently become sexually active, those whose partners used condoms in every sexual encounter were 70% less likely to contract HPV than those whose partners used condoms less than 5% of the time.