HPV-anogenital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. 50-70% of sexually active people are estimated to be infected with HPV (Human Papillomavirus) during their lifetime, while in each unprotected sexual intercourse with a person infected with the virus, there is a 70% chance to infect his/her partner as well. Transmission from one partner to another can occur even when a condom has been used.
Small lumps, almost flat or slightly swollen, appear in the genital area. HPV-anogenital warts can be internal or external. Their size varies while it can reach from the size of the head of a pin-up to 12 cm in the cases of giant acute warts. In the initial stage, itching or a burning sensation may occur. Pain is usually not observed.
Damages are divided into three main categories:
- Clinical lesions (those visible to the naked eye).
- Subclinical lesions (visible only with magnifying lenses and not with the naked eye).
- Latent lesions (give no visible sign and are detected by PCR identification by taking a tissue sample).
HPV-anogenital warts appear in women on the skin of the vulva, vagina, cervix, perineal skin, anus, and rectal mucosa. They can also develop in the vagina and cervix. In men, they usually appear on the penis or urethra, testicles, and anus. However, both women and men can also appear on the oral mucosa.
Their diagnosis should be made exclusively by a Dermatologist, who is also the expert in choosing the appropriate treatment. The virus cannot be removed from the body. It infects the cells and stays inside them forever. But malformations and warts can be removed.
For HPV-anogenital warts, the available treatments are:
- Laser
- Liquid nitrogen (cryo-coagulation)
- Surgical removal
- Treatment with chemicals (e.g., podophyllotoxin)
No treatment method is better than another, and none is ideal for all cases. Many times a few months after successful treatment, warts appear again in the same area. This is because when an area is infected, different cells may develop the infection at other times thus, although some sites that had warts healed, adjacent sites that appeared healthy may develop warts later.
For this reason, even after treatment, they need re-examination. As some types of HPV are associated with carcinogenesis in the genital area, vaccination is recommended at a young age before starting sexual activity.
