Many people are interested in what HPV is and how the development of the diseases that it causes occurs. Human papilloma virus is a generic name for a family of viruses that cause a person to have papillomas, dysplasia or cancerous growths on the skin and mucous membranes. This is the most common viral infection. It is quite difficult to avoid infection, since the infection does not always penetrate the body through the fault of the infected person.
Esophageal squamous papilloma is very dangerous, since such a neoplasm provokes various kinds of complications and can gradually turn into a malignant tumor.
Disease feature
Squamous cell papilloma of the esophagus is dangerous because such a neoplasm is detected only during a diagnostic examination using an endoscope. Visually, it is a small flat growth with an uneven surface.
It is formed in the middle or lower part of the esophagus and may consist of one such growth, and may include several formations. In this case, using endoscopic examination, you can see something like a bush with very thin processes of the epithelium.
Papilloma can be of various sizes. Often its diameter does not exceed 3 mm, however, cases of the growth of education to 20 mm are known. The color of such a tumor is no different from the color of the mucosa. The first sign of an enlarged papilloma can be short-term pain, which in its sensations is similar to those that occur with gastritis.
Causes of occurrence
It is very important to understand exactly what HPV is, for what reasons the disease occurs, what the signs may be and how the treatment is carried out. The exact causes of growths in the esophagus have not yet been fully studied, but it is known that the provoking factor is the effect on the human body of papilloma viruses.
The virus for a long time can remain in the body in a latent state and manifests itself only when the immune system weakens. There are a number of factors contributing to the occurrence of esophageal papilloma. Among them, it is necessary to highlight:
- constant consumption of spicy, fried, salty foods;
- the habit of eating too hot dishes or drinks;
- alcohol or tobacco abuse;
- the presence of burns of the esophagus;
- chronic esophagitis;
- pathology of the digestive system.
After prolonged inactivity of the virus in the body, it can sharply activate, as a result of which squamous esophagus papilloma begins to increase sharply in size. This is facilitated by the presence of some favorable factors, namely:
- improper diet;
- nervous breakdowns, frequent stresses;
- excessive physical activity;
- adherence to strict diets.
The main reasons for the activation of the virus are exhaustion and weakened immunity.
How does infection happen?
Often, infection with the virus occurs by contact with a sick person. This may be the transition of the disease from mother to fetus during pregnancy, through poorly sterilized instruments in manicure and dental offices, during sexual intercourse, and even through the skin.
Even if the patient has undergone treatment and the squamous cell papilloma of the esophagus has been removed, there is no guarantee that there will be no relapse.
Regardless of the method of infection, in all cases, a person's mucous membrane is damaged. Penetrating into the esophagus, the virus is literally instantly absorbed into the walls, provoking the appearance of a neoplasm.
The main symptoms
For a long time, a neoplasm in the lumen of the esophagus does not manifest itself at all. Squamous cell papilloma of the esophagus is a growth that looks like a wart, has a heterogeneous surface and papillary structure. The hue is practically no different from the mucous membrane of the esophagus, and at the initial stages, the neoplasm does not rise above the surface of healthy tissues.
Basically, papillomas are single and localized in the lower third of the esophagus. However, sometimes they can be multiple, grouped in the form of a bushy growth, and then there may even be a narrowing of the esophagus. As the neoplasm increases in size, the patient has unpleasant symptoms, namely:
- frequent burping;
- burning and soreness in the solar plexus;
- fatigue and severe weakness;
- nausea and vomiting.
In addition, there is often a sensation of a foreign body in the throat, which creates the impression of something adhering to the walls of the organ. Concomitant symptoms may also occur. Sometimes it seems to a person that food seems to be stuck in the esophagus.
If these signs occur, you should definitely visit a doctor who will prescribe the appropriate diagnosis and subsequent treatment. In some cases, such a neoplasm can cause severe salivation, however, few pay attention to all these signs.
Which doctor to contact
If there are signs of poor patency of the esophagus, be sure to consult a therapist who will conduct a comprehensive examination. Your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist or oncologist who will prescribe instrumental research methods to detect the presence of neoplasms.
Diagnostics
It is possible to diagnose esophagus papillomas by conducting a comprehensive examination, as well as taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's condition. Initially, the doctor examines the patient's esophagus with an esophagoscope. This procedure is safe and almost painless. To detect neoplasms, such diagnostic methods are used as:
- radiography of the esophagus;
- endoscopy;
- tomography;
- laboratory research;
- hidden HPV test.
It is worth noting that the faster the pathology is detected, the faster it is possible to carry out treatment, preventing the occurrence of dangerous complications. If a patient is prescribed fibrogastroduodenoscopy, then you definitely need to know how to make FGS and how to prepare for this procedure.
This method helps to examine the stomach and detect neoplasms even at the initial stage of their growth. Many people are interested in how FGS are done using modern techniques, and whether the procedure can be performed completely painlessly. In many clinics, patients are anesthetized so that they do not feel discomfort.
Specificity of the FGS procedure
Before starting the procedure, the doctor anesthetizes the oropharynx with a solution of local anesthetic. Thanks to this, this manipulation practically does not cause uncomfortable sensations and is well tolerated. The patient takes a position - lying on his left side. For simplified insertion of the endosocope (a special tube with a miniature camera and a compact illuminator), a ring-mouthpiece is placed between the patient’s teeth. A device is passed through it. Then the patient makes one swallowing movement, which helps the doctor conduct a fibroscope into the esophagus. And the specialist begins to carefully examine the cavity of the esophagus.
Treatment feature
As soon as the doctor has been diagnosed, the patient is prescribed a comprehensive treatment, which includes activities such as:
- drug therapy;
- traditional medicine;
- conducting an operation.
Treatment is carried out in stages, since this type of neoplasm belongs to the high-risk group and has certain features. The operation can be performed with complete or partial excision of the growth. Complete removal of the esophagus is very rare and is prescribed only if there is a malignant neoplasm. After this, a course of chemotherapy is carried out, as well as supportive treatment with medications.
Medicines block the subsequent development of the virus, and this method of therapy refers to preventive measures against the occurrence of relapses.
Drug therapy
Patients who are diagnosed with papilloma of the digestive tract are prescribed a course of antiviral drugs. You can reduce the activity of the virus and activate the body's defenses with the help of such drugs as:
- Viferon;
- Interferon
- "Acyclovir";
- Amiksin.
The doctor selects the drugs strictly individually. In addition, a course of vitamins is required.
Surgical intervention
To avoid complications, with a strong narrowing of the esophagus, surgery is indicated. Several methods can be used for this, namely:
- laparoscopy;
- endoscopy;
- esophagotomy.
When conducting endoscopy, access to the pathological growth is carried out through the oral cavity or nose. This method of intervention is used for small papillomas.
Laparoscopy is considered a less traumatic procedure, since removal is performed through a small incision. After a day, the patient can return to normal life. Esophagotomy is a cavity operation, which is performed with a significant tumor size.
In some situations, removal of a piece of the esophagus is required, and in this case, plastic is needed after the procedure.
Traditional medicine
In the presence of esophagus papilloma, it is strictly forbidden to replace medications with folk remedies, they can only be used as adjunctive therapy. The most effective home remedies are:
- infusions of medicinal herbs;
- propolis;
- infusion of garlic.
To make a medicinal infusion, you need to take in equal proportions the roots of elecampane, licorice, calamus in equal proportions. Then 1 tbsp. l ready collection pour 1 cup boiling water and leave to brew until completely cooled. Filter the finished drink and take ¼ cup 3 times a day.
Instead of tea, you can consume an infusion of raspberries, nettles and currants. This is a good tonic, which should be taken several times a day. To do this, mix all the components in equal proportions, then 1 tsp. pour the finished mixture with 1 cup of boiling water. Leave to infuse for 30 minutes. Ready to drink in the form of tea in small sips.
No less effective means will be garlic infusion. To do this, pass 3 cloves of garlic through a press, pour 1 cup boiling water. To do this, crushed cloves are poured with water and insist 2 days. You need to take the finished product 10 g before bedtime. Freshly squeezed vegetable juice can be added to the infusion.
Propolis has good antiviral qualities. To strengthen the immune system, a mixture prepared from dried fruits, nuts, honey and lemon will be very useful. You need to take such a medicine daily for 1 month for 1 tbsp. l on an empty stomach.
Potato juice helps a lot. To do this, grate the raw potato tuber. Squeeze juice out of it, and then consume 1 tbsp every morning. l on an empty stomach. The duration of therapy is 1 month.
These recipes are very good for the prevention of many other diseases, but they do not guarantee complete recovery. That is why doctors recommend conducting complex therapy, which helps to get rid of the existing problem much faster.
What is the disease dangerous?
A tumor is dangerous in that for a long time it does not manifest itself at all, therefore it is very difficult to identify it in the initial stages. The first signs of a pathology begin to appear only after the degeneration of a benign neoplasm into a malignant one.
Forecast
In some cases, papilloma, even without treatment, may not increase in size throughout life and does not cause any concern. The prognosis of such tumors after surgery largely depends on each clinical case, the volume and type of intervention. With the complete removal of the neoplasm and the absence of complications, the outcome of the disease is quite favorable.
Even with the detection of signs of the transition of the tumor to malignant at an early stage, its timely removal allows to achieve good results and survival rates. Relapses are quite rare.
If a malignant tumor is determined at the stage of metastasis and germination into the deeper layers of the organ, the prognosis is rather unfavorable, and a complete recovery is no longer possible. If treatment is carried out only by surgery, then the patient's survival rate is not more than 5%.
Prophylaxis
In order to prevent the formation of squamous papilloma of the esophagus, it is very important to follow rules such as:
- regular visits to the doctor and conducting preventive examinations;
- refusal to drink alcohol and tobacco;
- timely treatment of diseases that lead to a decrease in immunity;
- proper nutrition;
- prevention of overwork and stress.
Specific preventive measures do not exist, which is why it is very important to carefully consider your health. This will prevent complications.