Papilloma in the throat: what to do and how to treat?



Papilloma in the throat

The content of the article:
  1. Reasons for appearance
  2. Types and symptoms of papillomas in the throat
  3. Treatment options
    1. Medicines
    2. Removal of papillomas
    3. Folk remedies
  4. Relapse Prevention

Papilloma in the throat is a pathology that is not dangerous to human health, which, however, cannot be ignored. Manifestations of the human papillomavirus in the upper respiratory tract, even despite its non-oncogenic nature, can complicate breathing and cause injury when swallowing. Secondary infection of pathogenic tissues after mechanical damage, in turn, is fraught with degeneration into malignant formations. It is easy to avoid such a scenario; for this you need to know how papilloma in the throat manifests itself, what to do at the first signs of the disease, how to prevent the re-development of growths after their removal.

Causes of papillomas in the throat



HPV 3d model

At risk of developing papillomas in the throat, which must be treated without fail, are children under 5 years of age, as well as men and women of puberty. Children can get the virus from their mother during the birth canal, and adults most often become infected during sexual intercourse, less often in everyday life.

At the same time, the immunity of children and adults can be weakened for a number of reasons. Unable to resist the virus, the body suffers from the destructive development of epithelial cells.

Other factors influencing the appearance of papillomas in the throat include:

  1. acute respiratory diseases;
  2. chronic illnesses;
  3. violation of personal hygiene;
  4. damage to the oral mucosa;
  5. promiscuity, constant stress and abnormalities in the functioning of the nervous system;
  6. bad habits.

Regardless of the method of infection, the strain of the virus will manifest itself in a certain part of the body. By the way, the causes of papillomas in the throat, the treatment of which cannot be delayed, are non-oncogenic strains of the virus - 6, 11, 30. Depending on the HPV genotype, the growths that appear vary.

Note! Formations caused by non-oncogenic strains of the papilloma virus rarely degenerate into a malignant tumor. However, due to the traumatic location of the growths, the risk of their transformation still exists.
  1. See also the causes of papilloma on the vocal cords

Types and symptoms of papillomas in the throat



Papillomas in the throat

In the photo there are papillomas in the throat

The throat is a complex organ of the upper respiratory tract. Anatomically, there are two sections: the larynx and pharynx. The range of functions performed by the throat is incredibly wide - respiratory, protective, speech. The appearance of papillomas is possible in any of the areas, any of the formations disrupts the functions assigned to the organ, a person may suffer from breathing problems, the timbre of the voice changes, a papilloma in the larynx gives the sensation of an interfering lump.

Based on the degree of growth of growths, the following types of papillomas in the throat are distinguished (symptoms of the subsequent type are aggravated in comparison with the previous ones):

  1. limited - structures are formed in any one area;
  2. common - multiple papillomas spread to different parts of the throat;
  3. obstructive - cause swelling of the larynx and disrupt the functions of the respiratory system.
No less common in official medicine is the classification of papillomas in the throat according to their localization. In this case, growths in the oropharynx (on the tonsils, arches, soft palate) can be detected during a routine visual examination, and in other parts of the throat secondary symptoms may be suspected for additional examinations.

In the early stages of its development, the disease does not manifest itself in any way. The patient may not even know that he is infected with the human papillomavirus. The growth of the growth during the activation of the infection leads to deterioration of breathing and the swallowing process.

Depending on the level of dysfunction of the throat, the following stages of the disease are distinguished:

  1. Compensatory - when papillomas in the larynx affect the vocal cords, causing hoarseness in the voice.
  2. Decompensatory - respiratory functions are impaired, the body feels a lack of oxygen.
  3. Asphyxia - systematic lack of oxygen leads to loss of consciousness and deterioration of the cardiovascular system.

Upon examination, the doctor may detect swelling of the larynx and tonsils. And injury to the structures will be accompanied by expectoration with blood stains.

Note! Symptoms of laryngeal papilloma can appear and develop rapidly - from mild soreness to a strained cough. Any cough should not be attributed to respiratory diseases; the final diagnosis must be made by a doctor.

Methods for treating papillomas in the throat

Diagnosis of papillomatosis is quite simple at any stage of development of formations. Without fail, the doctor will conduct a visual examination of the throat. In some cases, a special laryngoscope device may be used or microlaryngoscopy may be performed. The patient is also sent for x-rays. Electroglottography and biopsy (analysis of growth tissue) will also help decide what to do with papilloma in the throat. After identifying and eliminating the causes of papillomas in the throat, treatment begins immediately. Even if tests show a benign nature of the formation, therapy should be aimed at completely removing the papilloma in the throat. For this purpose, both medications and procedural treatment are prescribed.

Treatment of papillomas in the throat with medications



Drugs for the treatment of papillomas in the throat

In the photo are drugs for papillomas in the throat

Drug treatment of laryngeal papillomas is aimed at fighting the virus from the inside. For this purpose, powerful antiviral and immunostimulating drugs are prescribed. Activation of the immune system will suppress the replication of the virus, but does not always cope with existing growths.

A patient's first aid kit usually contains:

  1. Viferon - a synthetic interferon that helps the body’s immune system function, the so-called immunomodulator. The cost of the drug in Russia is from 500 rubles, and in Ukraine - from 280 hryvnia; the price in different pharmacies may vary slightly. In some cases, the drug is replaced with analogues - Alpha-Inzon, Eberon Alpha.
  2. Groprinosin - a powerful antiviral agent, which also has immunomodulatory properties, is actively used to treat papillomas in the throat. The price for a package of 20 tablets is 116 Ukrainian hryvnia. In Russia, the drug costs 589 rubles. Analogues of the drug are Normomed, Amizon, as well as a number of other antiviral agents.
  3. Zovirax - an antiviral drug that is focused on the most careful treatment of healthy cells in the body, but at the same time has a detrimental effect on destructive ones. The price for the tablet composition in Ukraine is 103 hryvnia, and in Russia - 553 rubles.
Drug treatment is carried out before surgery to remove laryngeal papillomas, and also continues after as a preventive measure. The complex of drugs and dosage are selected by the doctor based on the general health of the patient, the strain of the virus that has manifested itself, and other indicators.

Removal of papillomas in the throat



Laser removal of papillomas in the throat

Cases where papilloma in the throat went away on its own are extremely rare. This situation is typical mainly for children and adolescents whose hormonal levels have not yet stabilized. Therefore, the doctor recommends removal of papilloma in the throat for most people.

Destruction is carried out in several ways:

  1. Radio knife - using a high-frequency directed wave. The method leaves no traces and is practically painless, but relatively expensive. The price for the procedure will be 1,700 hryvnia in Ukraine and 4,000 rubles in Russia, but in some cases it can significantly exceed this figure.
  2. Laser - using a high-temperature directed beam. The advantage of this method is the immediate treatment of the wound, which means a low probability of infection. Removal may take place over several sessions. A full procedural course can cost 1200 hryvnia, 2000 rubles or even more
The mucous membrane of the oropharynx and throat is quite sensitive, so other existing methods for removing papilloma in the throat (electric current, liquid nitrogen) are used extremely rarely.
  1. Read also, what is better to remove papillomas - radio wave method or laser

Is it possible to treat papillomas in the throat with folk remedies?



Horseradish root for preparing an infusion for papillomas in the throat

What to do with papilloma in the throat is a question that also interests adherents of alternative medicine. The most common recipes from the “people” are infusions of bay leaf and horseradish root.

To prepare an infusion of bay leaves, pour 400 ml of boiling water over 8 leaves and leave in a dark place overnight. Drink the entire tincture in one day. The course lasts 14 days.

To prepare an infusion of horseradish root, grind it thoroughly and mix with natural honey 1:1. Take 1 tablespoon of the composition per day in the afternoon and evening.

Most doctors do not recommend removing the papilloma yourself, as this increases the risk of injury. However, doctors have nothing against maintaining the health of the body after procedural destruction of the growth. After surgery to remove papilloma in the throat, the patient is recommended to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, natural juices, and honey.

Important! If the patient’s condition sharply worsens after starting therapy with traditional methods or does not change during the specified period of taking the composition, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor.

Prevention of recurrence of papillomas in the throat



Immunal for the prevention of papillomas in the throat

Preventive measures for the appearance of new formations in the throat are:

  1. timely treatment of acute respiratory and infectious conditions;
  2. avoiding stress and giving up bad habits;
  3. moderate exercise and good nutrition.

After removal of papilloma in the throat, the body must be supported with medications, for example, Panavir or Immunal. Panavir is an antiviral drug for systemic use, the price in Ukrainian pharmacies is 313 hryvnia, and in Russian pharmacies - 331 rubles. And Immunal is a herbal preparation to stimulate the body’s protective functions. The price for a 50 ml bottle in Ukraine reaches 100 hryvnia, in Russia - 421 rubles.

If a person does not even know what the symptoms of papilloma in the throat are, tests show the absence of any strains of the virus in the body, then the best preventative measures for HPV infection will be careful oral hygiene, avoiding casual sexual intercourse, and treating the slightest injuries and wounds.

  1. See also useful tips for preventing human papillomavirus infection

How to remove papillomas in the throat - watch the video:

[media=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YRaivo5eSs]

Papilloma in the throat, despite its benign nature, can be a very dangerous disease, since the growth in extreme cases can even lead to asphyxia. At the same time, with timely diagnosis, the disease will be localized quite quickly, and the patient will forget about the unpleasant manifestations of the pathology. The main thing that the patient should remember is not to ignore the body’s signals and consult a doctor in a timely manner.

  1. Related article: When to contact an ENT specialist for papillomas