What is the difference between polyps and papillomas and how to distinguish them. Papillomas on the head in the hair: signs and methods of treatment Papilloma or polyp in the head: symptoms and diagnosis


Polyps are abnormal benign neoplasms of round, drop-shaped or irregular shape, which are localized on the walls of hollow organs and protrude into their lumen. They are mounted on a wide base or have a leg. Such growths can appear on the inner surface of any organs of the body that have a mucous membrane.

Polyps are most often found in the following places:

    Intestines;

  • Gallbladder;

    Bladder;

    Nasal cavity.

In themselves, these tumors are not terrible, but sometimes they turn into malignant tumors. If a person does not experience any alarming symptoms, this does not mean that in the future the polyp will not degenerate into. This is why, regardless of whether polyps cause discomfort, they must be treated conservatively or surgically removed.

Polyps in the uterus

Polyps in the uterus are commonly diagnosed benign growths of the lining of the uterus that are usually caused by serious hormonal imbalances. They also appear against the background of a variety of inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs, for example, cervicitis or. In addition, polyps often coexist with endometriosis. Postmenstrual is considered the main symptom of such growths. Signs of polyps include heavy uterine periods, or vice versa, scanty, irregular periods, as well as vaginal bleeding during the period. However, such pathology is sometimes observed during a normal menstrual cycle. Many patients complain of increasing pain during sexual intercourse. It also happens that polyps in the uterus are not indicated by any symptoms.

For a complete diagnosis of uterine polyposis Ultrasound examination, metrography and the most informative method - hysteroscopy are used. Thanks to such modern procedures, a gynecologist can easily assess the general condition of the polyp, determine its exact location and size. If growths appear against the background of inflammation, then it is enough to cure the source of infection so that the polyps disappear without intervention. With the help of a hysteroscope, serious operations can be performed to remove large growths, with minimal complications.

Treatment of polyps in the uterus Most often it is performed surgically, which involves curettage. Sometimes doctors also use non-surgical treatment by introducing modern progesterone drugs. Hormones promote rapid drying of growths. However, it should be mentioned that with the conservative method, the risk of re-formation of polyps is very high.

Nasal polyps


Benign tumors such as nasal polyps most often occur in children under 10 years of age. Nasal polyposis is the same as... However, such a pathology can also manifest itself in adults due to the strong proliferation of the mucous membrane of the pharyngeal tonsils. It is this tissue that is designed to protect the human body from all kinds of bacteria and viruses.

The main reasons for the formation of nasal polyps are as follows:

    Repeatedly suffered infectious diseases of the ENT organs;

    Prolonged lack of fresh air or systematic inhalation of harmful substances;

Common symptoms of nasal polyps There are also rashes on the skin around the nose, inflammation of the inner lining of the sinuses, difficulty breathing, problems sleeping, traces of mucus on the wall of the throat, lack of taste, poor sense of smell, snoring and chronic. Most people with adenoids suffer from terrible headaches and a constant runny nose with severe nasal congestion. With small growths, signs may not appear. And conservative treatment of infectious diseases and allergic manifestations rarely leads to the resorption of nasal polyps.

Treatment of nasal polyps surgical: doctors usually tend to immediately surgically remove such tumors. When polyps grow in large groups, standard endoscopic surgery is prescribed. To speed up healing, doctors recommend regular rinsing of the sinuses with sea salt. Carrying out preventive measures, the use of antiallergic drugs and specific immunotherapy can prevent re-growth.

Endometrial polyps

Uterine endometrial polyposis is a serious disease that can be characterized as the uncontrolled formation of multiple benign neoplasms. With such hyperplastic processes, the underlying endometrium grows, in other words, the entire inner layer of the uterus. This disease most often occurs in women aged 35 to 55 years. In older age, after menopause, the incidence rate is low. The uterine endometrial polyp has a body and a stalk. It consists of epithelial cells. Growths come in different shapes, depending on their structure and structure.

Experts divide uterine endometrial polyps into the following types:

    Ferrous;

    Glandular-fibrous;

    Fibrous;

    Adenomatous.

In women of early reproductive age, neoplasms of the glandular structure are usually observed. Whereas in mature patients, either fibrous or adenomatous polyps are diagnosed. It should be noted that glandular-fibrous growths are characteristic of any age category.

Possible causes of uterine endometrial polyposis include hormonal disorders, trauma to the uterine cavity, prolonged contact of the mucous membrane with the intrauterine device, miscarriages and frequent terminations of pregnancy, childbirth with incomplete removal of the placenta, decreased immunity, endocrine disorders, extragenital diseases, psychological factors, as well as chronic pelvic inflammation.

Symptoms of endometrial polyposis can be very diverse:

    Menstrual irregularities;

    Cramping pain in the lower abdomen;

    White, yellowish or brown discharge from the genital tract;

    Intermenstrual bleeding;

    Pain and bleeding during or after sexual intercourse;

    Inability to conceive or miscarriage.

But quite often this pathology does not manifest itself at all. Small growths can only be detected by ultrasound, endometrial scraping or hysteroscopy.

The main treatment method for uterine endometrial polyposis surgical intervention is considered. Under the control of a hysteroscope, a specialist removes polyps and thoroughly scrapes the uterine mucosa. Depending on the shape of the growth and the age of the patient, further treatment and postoperative recovery are prescribed. It should be mentioned that after curettage of glandular and glandular-fibrous neoplasms, mandatory hormonal treatment is indicated to regulate the menstrual cycle.

Rectal polyps


A rectal polyp is a benign glandular neoplasm, which is attached to the rectal wall with the help of a stalk. Growths often form in small groups. This intestinal pathology occurs not only in adults, but also in children. With hereditary rectal polyposis, growths in most cases tend to become malignant. According to modern medical research, middle-aged men suffer from this disease at least one and a half times more often than women. Early detection and treatment of these tumors allows us to count on a positive prognosis.

Numerous rectal polyps can be classified as follows:

    By quantity - single, multiple and diffuse;

    According to morphological structure– into glandular, villous, glandular-villous, juvenile, hyperplastic and fibrous.

    Pseudopolyposis can be divided into a separate group; this is when the mucous membrane grows as a result of chronic inflammation.

Possible causes of rectal polyps are chronic inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, stagnation of feces and microtrauma caused by frequent constipation. Along with this, the growth of polyps is facilitated by the unfavorable influence of the environmental situation, poor nutrition, physical inactivity and alcohol abuse. You can also note the dependence of polyposis on diverticular disease and vascular pathologies. Modern experts do not exclude a genetic predisposition to intestinal polyposis.

The severity of symptoms of rectal polyps directly depends on the number, size, morphological structure, location and malignant nature of the growths. As a rule, such neoplasms are discovered accidentally during a full endoscopic examination of the intestine. Very large growths can be manifested by a feeling of discomfort, bloody discharge from the anus, a feeling of the presence of a foreign body in the rectum, as well as pain in the lower abdomen and iliac region. Serious disturbances in the peristaltic activity of the gastrointestinal tract often contribute to the occurrence of not only, but also.

Diagnosis of intestinal polyposis involves regular examinations by a proctologist. Early detection will help prevent malignant growth and will guarantee successful tumor removal.

Treatment of polyps in the intestines surgical - since they practically cannot be reduced by conservative methods, they are simply removed. Those polyps that are located low are operated on transanally. In addition, small growths can be removed by electroexcision during a special endoscopic procedure. Very large growths are removed only in parts. After resection, all polyps must undergo mandatory histological examination for malignancy.

Polyps in the gallbladder


Growing polyps in the gallbladder are benign pathological neoplasms that appear on the mucous membrane. The growths themselves do not pose a danger to humans, but on average in 15% of cases they develop into malignant formations without any symptoms.

The most common types of this pathology are:

    Cholesterol polyposis;

    Inflammatory polyposis;

    Gallbladder adenoma;

    Gallbladder papilloma.

Symptoms of bile polyps usually erased, patients have virtually no complaints, except for discomfort in the right hypochondrium. In rare cases, intolerance to a certain type of food occurs. Often, polyps in a person’s gallbladder are discovered completely by accident during an ultrasound examination. Endoscopic ultrasonography may be prescribed to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment of polyps in the gallbladder, according to modern doctors, it cannot be conservative; only surgical intervention is relevant. In case of extensive clinical manifestations, the entire gallbladder must be removed, regardless of the size of the existing gallbladder. If growths in the gallbladder are more than 1 cm in diameter, and there are several of them, then the organ should be immediately removed due to the risk of malignant degeneration.

After a control ultrasound examination, the doctor decides to remove small polyps. Growths that are pedunculated and with a diameter of less than 9 mm should be monitored once every six months for two years. After this time, if the tumor has not increased in size, an ultrasound scan is performed once a year. If the polyp grows, it must be operated on. A growth without a stalk is monitored by a doctor once a quarter.

Standard surgery for resection of bile polyps is a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Using unique endoscopic technology, only growths can be removed while preserving a functioning gallbladder.

Polyps of the cervical canal

Special benign neoplasms - polyps of the cervical canal - mainly come from the columnar epithelium of the endocervix. The reasons for the occurrence of these growths are not clear enough. As a rule, this pathology is diagnosed in patients over the age of 35-37 years. Many experts believe that the development of cervical polyposis is based on age-related changes in the body, hormonal disorders, as well as various stress factors and decreased immunity. It should also be noted that mechanical trauma to the external os of the uterus can serve as a favorable background for growths. Often this type of polyposis develops in combination with erosion of the cervix and genital organs.

Symptoms of cervical polyposis quite pronounced: polyps grow in the lumen of the cervix, manifesting themselves as contact bleeding and leucorrhoea. In this case, mild nagging pain cannot be ruled out. Diagnosis of this pathology includes not only a gynecological examination and colposcopy, but also cervicoscopy and histological analysis of scrapings taken from the cervix.

According to histological type, polyps of the cervical canal are divided into:

    Ferrous;

    Adenomatous;

    Glandular-fibrous;

    Angiomatous;

    Fibrous.

The structure of such growths is:

    Multilayer;

    Cylindrical;

  • High cylindrical;

    With metaplastic changes;

    With immature epithelium.

Removal of cervical polyps It is performed by unscrewing the stalk of the polyp and completely cauterizing its base, and then scraping out the entire mucous membrane of the cervix. Usually after surgery, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed.

Polyps in the stomach


Polyps in the stomach are small protruding growths on the surface of the mucous membrane. In their shape, such neoplasms on short, wide legs resemble small mushrooms, the size of which does not exceed three centimeters. All benign gastric polyps have a glandular structure. Most often they develop due to chronic and other inflammations. Gastric growths are divided into groups according to several criteria: clinical, pathological, radiological, etiological and pathogenic.

Polyps in the stomach can be:

    By quantity – single, multiple and diffuse (more than 15 pieces);

    By etiology - inflammatory, adenomatous, hyperplastic and neoplastic (prone to becoming malignant);

    By structure - villous, tubular and mixed.

Gastric polyps are almost asymptomatic. They develop without discomfort and can be detected incidentally during X-ray examination. In rare cases, patients complain of pain in the epigastric region. When the exit from the stomach is blocked, it appears. When a fairly large polyp begins to manifest itself, there may be a bitter taste in the mouth, and there will be traces of blood in the stool and vomit. In case of serious pathologies, pallor, weakness and cramping pain cannot be avoided when the growths become pinched and enter the duodenum.

Causes Such benign neoplasms can be due to hereditary factors, chronic gastritis and other inflammations of the stomach. In addition, in people over 50-55 years of age, the risk of developing gastric polyps increases significantly. It doesn’t matter why exactly such growths arose - in any case, they indicate malfunctions in the functioning of the entire digestive system.

Treatment of any stomach polyps is based on systematic monitoring, special diet and surgical resection. The necessary monitoring should be carried out using endoscopic and x-ray equipment. Exact adherence to the prescribed diet will significantly slow down the development of the unfavorable process. The question of the need for surgical intervention is decided in each individual case, depending on the severity of the disease. Endoscopic polypectomy is considered the basic method of treatment in modern medicine.

Polyps in the intestines


Polyps in the intestines are a serious danger. They grow on the walls of the intestine, blocking the lumen. Neoplasms such as hamartomatous polyps grow from the most common tissues of the mucous membrane. Juvenile growths are found in the colon, and adenomatous polyps are a typical facultative appendage. The subsequent degeneration of each type of intestinal pathology directly depends on the size and etiology of the growth. The cause of the appearance of polyps in the intestines is considered to be only chronic inflammation.

Symptoms of the disease in patients with small polyps in the intestines there are practically no polyps. Sometimes, in the presence of large villous adenomas, mucus impurities are noticeable in the patient’s stool. In severely advanced cases, bloody discharge appears. Large growths can imitate intestinal obstruction, which is accompanied by cramping painful sensations. In addition, anal or prolonged constipation may occur. Due to large protein losses with large polyps in the intestine, homeostasis disorders are often diagnosed.

Diagnosis of such a dangerous pathology includes sigmoidoscopy and, if necessary, digital examination of the rectum. The combination of diagnostic methods makes it possible to identify other concomitant ailments.

Treatment of intestinal polyps located on a thin stalk, provides for standard loop electrocoagulation, which is performed during colonoscopy. Growths with a wide base are excised. Most benign tumors can be easily detected and removed using a modern colonoscope. All resected growths should be examined for the presence of malignant cells.

If the large size of the growths does not allow endoscopic removal, they are localized by surgical intervention. Abdominal surgery is also performed to remove malignant tumors. For resection of a polyp that has degenerated into an early cancerous tumor, modern endoscopic techniques are used, and it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of each specific growth.

After removal of polyps in the intestines It is necessary to regularly see a doctor to avoid relapse of the disease. And after 50 years, every person is recommended to undergo preventive intestinal examinations annually in order to identify them in the early stages.


Education: Moscow Medical Institute named after. I. M. Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".

The difference between a polyp and a papilloma is a list of signs by which the type of neoplasm can be determined. Contrary to popular myth, polyps and papillomas are different formations. They have striking differences in both appearance and nature of origin. These growths are also treated according to different schemes.

What is a polyp?

Photo of polyps in the intestines

A polyp is a single or multiple formation that affects the mucous membrane of a person’s internal organs or cavities. Such growths may have an irregular or rounded shape. Most often they are found in the uterus, intestines, urinary or gall bladder, and sinuses.

Essentially, polyps are unnatural growths of epithelial tissue. But they always affect the mucous membranes or the lining surface of certain internal organs. This is how polyps differ from papillomas.

The nature of these growths is non-viral. The cause of polyps can be various factors:

  • Hormonal imbalances in patients over 35-40 years of age;
  • Sluggish chronic infections - dysbacteriosis, diseased teeth, helminthiases, fungal diseases;
  • Digestive disorders caused by unhealthy food, poor diet;
  • Chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, nasopharynx, urinary and reproductive systems;
  • Lack of physical activity;
  • Nervous stress, fatigue;
  • Poor metabolic process.

The presence of bad habits, such as smoking and alcoholism, can also become provoking factors for the development of polyps.

These growths can have different appearances: on a stalk or a voluminous base, smooth or uneven. Their color ranges from whitish to pink. Depending on the reasons for their appearance, polyps can be inflammatory (localized at the site of inflammation), hyperplastic (healthy mucous membrane grows), neoplastic (considered a precancerous condition).

As a rule, polyps do not cause discomfort to the patient. They are usually discovered during a routine medical examination.

The photo shows a polyp in the uterus

If the polyp is large, certain symptoms may appear, depending on the location of the growth:

  • If the polyp is located in the uterus, then heavy discharge (bloody or whitish) and pain during intercourse may occur.
  • When a polyp is localized in the intestines, constipation sometimes occurs, mucus or blood appears in the feces.
  • If the neoplasm affects the nasal cavity, breathing may be difficult, chronic runny nose, snoring, and headaches may appear.
  • If a growth is found in the bladder, various impurities may appear in the urine and the urge to go to the toilet may become more frequent.

What does papilloma look like?

Photo of papilloma on the oral mucosa

Papilloma is a viral neoplasm on the skin or mucous membrane. Most often, such a growth is located on the neck, armpits, face, limbs, and genitals. Papillomas, unlike polyps, are very rare on the nasal mucosa or vocal cords. Sometimes the cervix can be affected.

If you are interested in the difference between a polyp and a papilloma, then the main one is the reason for the appearance of these growths. Papillomas are a waste product of HPV in the human body. An infected patient often experiences external manifestations of the disease in the form of growths on the body.

The prevalence of HPV is very high. According to various estimates, about 80-90% of people on the planet are infected with it. The virus is transmitted through sexual contact, domestic contact, and sometimes from mother to baby during childbirth.

Papillomas can have different types. Filamentous are thin growths on a stalk; they can have an oblong or papillary shape. Flat papillomas protrude slightly above the surface of the skin in the form of nodules without folds with a smooth surface. Pointed papillomas are called condylomas, and they are located on the genitals of men and women.

The virus can remain in the blood for a long time and not manifest itself in any way. With accompanying factors, HPV is activated and new growths appear on the skin. Most often, papillomas occur with decreased immunity, chronic illnesses, colds, hormonal imbalances, alcohol abuse, smoking, frequent stress and overwork.

As a rule, papillomas do not cause any discomfort in the patient. Normally, they are painless and have a flesh-colored or pinkish tint.

  • Read also,

How are polyps different from papillomas?

You should understand the difference between polyps and papillomas. This determines the further treatment of these tumors. Despite their external similarity, these growths have a number of significant differences that help to identify them.

Let's look at the main differences between polyps and papillomas:

  • Location. Polyps are concentrated on the mucous membranes and lining surfaces of internal organs and cavities. Papillomas can affect both the mucous membrane and the skin. Most often they are found on the epidermis.
  • Appearance, size. Polyps, as a rule, have a round shape and a different surface (smooth or uneven). Papillomas can resemble a broccoli inflorescence or be in the form of threads, papillae, or nodules on the skin.
  • Growth pattern. Polyps are constantly growing slowly. Papillomas can maintain their size for a long time and increase sharply if there are contributing factors, for example, trauma, and they also grow during malignant degeneration.
  • Reasons for appearance. Polyps, unlike papillomas, are non-viral in nature. They occur with a general decrease in immunity or hormonal disorders. Papillomas always form as a result of human infection with papillomavirus.
  • Diagnostics. It is quite difficult to detect a polyp at an early stage, since in most cases it is hidden from view (located on internal organs). It is usually diagnosed during an ultrasound examination. It is quite easy to detect papilloma - as a rule, it is located on visible areas of the body.
  • Patient age. Polyps most often affect people in adulthood - 35 years and older. Papillomas can occur at any age, even in infants, if the route of transmission of the virus is from mother to child.
  • Features of treatment. Polyps can be removed surgically - curettage, excision and other methods. In this case, the growth disappears without a trace, what is the difference between polyps and papillomas. In the latter case, you can only get rid of the external manifestation of HPV. The virus itself will remain in the blood, and relapses are possible.

It is worth noting that both polyps and papillomas can degenerate into malignant tumors. The risk of malignancy is higher in papillomas, since there is a group of HPV strains with high oncogenicity. Especially dangerous are growths that affect the cervix in women. In most cases, this is a pathogen with a high tendency to malignancy of papillomas.

29.07.2017

Papilloma and polyp are neoplasms. They have different natures, different reasons lead to their appearance, and they threaten with different consequences. They even appear in different places.

Confusion comes from ignorance. Papilloma is a tumor caused by a virus.

Polyp is a genetically determined disease.

If you find a tumor in yourself, then most likely it is papilloma. Doctors discover polyps when they examine internal organs. Why do we so often hear that polyps and papillomas are the same thing?

The majority of the population is familiar with the problem of papillomatosis.

What is papilloma?

Papilloma is a benign neoplasm on the skin or mucous membranes. The growths appear as a result of infection with the human papillomavirus. According to medical statistics, 9 out of 10 people are HPV positive.

The virus may not manifest itself in any way for months, years or a lifetime. Many HPV carriers do not know about this; the disease is asymptomatic.

For the virus to take effect, the immune system must be reduced. A lingering cold, hypothermia, hangover, and sleepless nights weaken the body’s defenses. At such moments, HPV can manifest itself. It manifests itself by the appearance of growths - papillomas or warts.

Only a dermatologist can determine whether a neoplasm is a papilloma or another skin tumor. He will examine the suspected papilloma through a dermatoscope. Under magnification, signs of papilloma, such as the presence of blood vessels, will be obvious.

You can identify papilloma yourself if:

  1. Flesh-colored growth. Variants range from light brown to pinkish.
  2. It doesn't hurt, you don't feel it unless it's injured.
  3. It is very easy to injure a growth. It can become inflamed, red, and bleed.
  4. The tumor appears on an arm or leg, face, eyelid, neck, mouth or genitals.
  5. The growth is pointed or flat, on a stalk or a thick base.

These signs will help you suspect that you have papilloma. But only a doctor will give reliable information about the tumor.

What is a polyp?

How is a polyp different from a papilloma? A polyp is the result of uncontrolled cell division of the mucous membrane, which led to the appearance of a tumor. Polyps are found only on internal organs.

This is also a benign formation, however, the risk of some types of polyps degenerating into cancer is much higher than that of papillomas. The causes of polyps are not fully understood. This disease can be inherited.

Polyps may differ depending on the way they are attached to healthy tissue (pedunculated polyps and sessile polyps), as well as depending on the location.

A polyp may appear:

Why are polyps dangerous?

Colorectal polyps (those found in the large intestine) can lead to cancer. The main danger is adenomatous polyps. Colon polyps are diagnosed using colonoscopy. This procedure involves inserting a probe into the anus and examining the inside of the large intestine.

It is recommended that every person undergo a colonoscopy at age 55 as a screening measure for colon cancer, then repeat every five years. By this age, half the population will have an adenoma in the intestine.

The risk would be a lesion greater than 1 cm in diameter. If there is a history of colorectal cancer (the disease was diagnosed in one of the parents or a brother/sister), examination is necessary 10 years earlier than the age at which the tumor was detected in a relative.

Colon cancer, if detected early, can be treated well. If you eliminate the focus at the level of the polyp, then you can forget about this trouble for five years, and then repeat the colonoscopy. People are afraid of the procedure, which makes early diagnosis difficult.

What about papillomas?

Papilloma, unlike a polyp, is not dangerous in itself. This is a benign tumor. The risk of its degeneration is minimal. The health threat is the human papillomavirus. Its oncogenic strains cause the development of cervical cancer in women.

For men, the virus is not so dangerous, although some cases of cancer of the rectum, colon, throat and mouth are associated with the presence of HPV in the body.

A PCR test will help you find out whether you have this virus, whether it is a dangerous type, and what the extent of the damage is. HPV carriers are prescribed special therapy aimed at maintaining immunity. The lesions are stopped - papillomas are removed with a laser, liquid nitrogen, or current. If internal organs are affected, the tumor tissue is sent for histology.

Prevention of HPV – promoting health and maintaining immunity. The virus is not dangerous if the body has good protection. Often, papillomavirus enters the body through sexual contact.

Take precautions to protect yourself and your partner. There is a vaccine against dangerous strains of HPV. Girls are vaccinated twice after 9 and before 20 years of age.

A polyp can only appear on the membranes of internal organs

What is the difference between polyps and papillomas?

  1. Polyps are damage to internal organs. This is the difference. If you discover a tumor on your own, it is more likely a papilloma than a polyp. The polyp is diagnosed by a doctor. Papillomas grow on the skin and mucous membranes. The patient himself finds them.
  2. Polyps are a genetically determined neoplasm. Papillomas are caused by a virus.
  3. The danger of papilloma is oncogenic strains of HPV. The danger of a polyp is the risk of degeneration into a cancerous tumor.

Papillomas and polyps. Why are they confused?

Papillomas and polyps may be similar in appearance, although it is unlikely that you will ever see watering in person. Some types of papillomas are attached to tissues with the help of a thin stalk, and some types of polyps do the same.

It’s not just papillomas and polyps that are confused. Without medical education, it can be difficult to differentiate other neoplasms on the skin and mucous membranes: moles, keratomas, hemangiomas.

Only a qualified specialist can determine the type of education

Sometimes, during an examination by a gynecologist, you can hear that polyps are found in the cervix, although in fact we are talking about genital warts (a type of papillomas).

Both papillomas and polyps need to be checked. A competent doctor must make sure that they are not dangerous. Together with the patient, the specialist will decide whether to remove the tumor. In some cases this is not necessary.

When a person develops dubious formations on the surface of the skin or on internal organs, the question arises: is it a papilloma or a polyp? Are they dangerous and how to treat them? After all, the tumors are quite similar, although they have different origins. They also pose a risk of developing cancer.

The nature of the development of papilloma and polyp is different, although outwardly they have some similarities.

What are polyps?

In medicine, polyps are the pathological growth of tissue above the mucous membrane of organs. There are 2 types: with a wide base (without a stalk) and with a stalk (growing on a stalk). It grows on almost all organs that have mucous membrane: stomach, intestines, cervix, nose (adenoids), gall and bladder, bronchi and lungs, mouth. The formation is benign and rarely degenerates into cancer. It is always irregular in shape and most often resembles a drop in appearance. The cause is:

  • metabolic disease;
  • hormonal imbalance;
  • gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, colitis);
  • kidney diseases;
  • gynecological diseases (erosion, inflammation).

The “favorite” place for a polyp is the mucous membranes.

There are 3 types of polyps: neoplastic (the most dangerous because it degenerates into a malignant tumor), inflammatory (grows only on areas of inflammation) and hyperplastic (when the healthy mucosa grows pathologically). Polyps grow asymptomatically and do not make themselves felt for a long time. However, later signs of polyposis appear. Depending on the affected organ, the symptoms of polyps are:

  1. In the uterus: disruption of the menstrual cycle, nagging pain in the lower abdomen, bloody and white discharge between cycles, discomfort during or after sexual intercourse, infertility.
  2. In the intestines: constipation, blood and mucus in the stool. Sometimes during defecation the polyp breaks away from the stalk and comes out.
  3. In the nose: constant runny nose and nasal congestion, snoring, headache due to the inability to breathe fully.
  4. In the gallbladder: except for mild pain in the hypochondrium, the disease is almost asymptomatic.

What is HPV?

Papilloma is a benign tumor that forms on any part of the skin or on internal organs. Its formation is promoted by the human papillomavirus (HPV), of which there are dozens of species. The shape of the growth resembles an elongated papilla and can be localized on the limbs, in the throat and vocal cords, in the nose, on the back, and genitals. Internally, it affects the intestines and bladder. The virus is transmitted only from person to person through close contact (handshake, sexual contact), in bathhouses, public toilets, and beaches. An infected mother can infect her newborn baby. People at risk include:

Papilloma is an oblong neoplasm.

  • with weakened immunity;
  • with bad habits;
  • those in constant stressful situations;
  • those who often suffer from acute respiratory viral infections;
  • having diseases of the digestive system.

The main symptom of papilomatosis is the appearance of growths. Otherwise, the disease does not manifest itself in any way. Depending on the type of virus, papillomas are divided into genital warts (a dangerous form because they can degenerate into cancer), warts (they can appear and go away on their own), filamentous, and flat.

When a person has superficial warts, they bring little “pleasure” to their owner, and he begins to get rid of them in various ways. But no one realizes that much more dangerous are internal neoplasms that do not cause any external discomfort, and often people do not even know about their presence. But they are the ones who can become harbingers of big health problems due to their ability to degenerate into cancerous tumors. Whether polyps and papillomas are the same thing or not, only a specialist can tell.

You need to figure out what internal warts are and how they may differ? And why are they often called polyps? This is actually one of the most important questions, because everyone really needs to know how a polyp differs from moles.

Papillomas and polyps

The difference between them is colossal. Papillomas are manifestations of the human papillomavirus. Polyps are the consequences of hormonal imbalances and weakened immunity (secondary infections). Therefore, there is a great connection between these formations; they are similar to each other, although there are differences. In principle, both of them are essentially benign neoplasms. They can have a semi-oval, oval or round shape, both rough to the touch and smooth. The color ranges from white and pinkish to light brownish. Both are prone to increase. They are found both individually and in whole groups, that’s basically all how a polyp differs from a papilloma.

When HPV enters the body, it does not manifest itself immediately. Typically, the incubation period lasts up to six months. And if warts can reveal themselves, then with polyps everything is more difficult. This disease requires urgent intervention from competent specialists.

Are there any differences?

Polyps are unnatural tissue enlargements. Unlike papillomas, they always form on the mucous membrane. They look like:

  • smooth or uneven;
  • on a thin stem or with a thick base;
  • whitish or pinkish in hue.

Their favorite places of localization are:

  • nasal mucosa;
  • paranasal sinuses;
  • stomach;
  • colon;
  • bladder;
  • uterus.

But they can manifest themselves on any other internal organ and reach large sizes. Papillomas can appear both outside and inside the body. They have more uneven, even rough surfaces.

The following types differ:

  • simple (vulgar") - hard keratinized nodules;
  • plantar warts;
  • flat-shaped growths (somewhat reminiscent of moles);
  • small thread-like formations;
  • genital warts.

They are easier to injure, therefore they bleed more often, are subject to modification, grow, and can reach up to 3 cm in diameter. Both have a risk of developing into malignant formations and tumors.

Reasons for the appearance of formations

The main and main reason why these two phenomena are interconnected is weak immune defense. It can be caused by anything, for example,

  • constant stress;
  • poor environment;
  • sleep disturbance;
  • frequent viral infections;
  • long courses of treatment with antibiotics, chemotherapy;
  • the presence of chronic diseases of internal organs;
  • improper and irregular diet;
  • bad habits;
  • hormonal imbalances.

It should be noted that you can become infected with the HPV virus through open and untreated wounds on the skin, when using someone else’s cosmetics, or not following the rules and regulations of personal hygiene in public places, for example, taking someone else’s towel or slippers.

Methods for diagnosing polyps and papillomas

Depending on the location of the formation of growths, diagnostic methods also differ. Thus, the presence of a polyp in the uterus can be determined using ultrasound and various types of x-rays of the cervix and ovaries. In the nose - detects and diagnoses ENT, their nature is akin to adenoids. The presence of these in the stomach and rectum can be determined during an endoscopic examination by a gastroenterologist or proctologist.

But a person can notice the detection of warts and other superficial “beauties” himself. Internal papillomas are detected during initial examinations by medical specialists (dermatologist, ENT specialist, gynecologist, proctologist) and are diagnosed with certain tests:

  • blood and urine;
  • smears and scrapings.

And, of course, when they are localized on the internal mucosa, the same examinations are applicable as for polyps.

When, after clinical procedures, there is an assumption about the presence of oncogenic changes in neoplasms, the patient is referred for additional tests:

  • biopsy;
  • histology;
  • other.

And an oncologist is involved in treatment. In any of the cases, it is important to note one thing for yourself - you should not panic and be afraid to go to the doctors, because the sooner the pathology is identified, the easier it will be to get rid of it.

Surgical methods for treating growths

In cases where drug therapy does not give the expected effect, or problems arise, radical methods are used:

  • removal using a laser beam;
  • freezing with liquid nitrogen;
  • excision by radio waves;
  • exposure to electric currents;
  • surgical (cutting with a surgeon’s scalpel using anesthesia).

Which method is better is decided by a specialist, taking into account all the characteristics of a particular human body. Thus, polyps and papillomas are one and the same thing - you can’t say that, because they are neoplasms that differ in their specificity and are removed by different methods. A polyp can be removed with the help of drug treatment - strong antibiotics and immunomodulators, but it is virtually impossible to get rid of HPV.

In addition, it is with polyps that everything becomes more interesting due to the fact that they are cured by taking oral injections, tablets and everything else along with some surgical techniques. As you understand, we have nothing to smear ourselves, because all the “charms” are inside us. Almost all of them cannot be reduced conservatively. And so, in order:

  1. Polyps in the stomach, intestines and colon are removed through the rectum or excised electrosurgically during endoscopy or colonoscopy.
  2. Similar processes in the gallbladder are excised using punctures (“laparoscopic cholecystectomy”).
  3. The growths in the uterus and the cervix are unscrewed and then the base is completely cauterized, after which the entire mucous membrane of the cervix is ​​scraped out.
  4. Endoscopic surgery is performed in the nose.

Due to their poor ability to change, removed growths are almost always sent for oncological examination in order to determine their nature.

What does traditional medicine offer?

If warts can be treated with traditional methods, at home, externally, using plant juices (celandine, dandelion), garlic gruel and raw potatoes, even tying them with threads at the base, then internal papillomas, like polyps, can only be “cured” at home by strengthening the body's protective functions. Ingestion of raw potato juice, freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, rosehip tinctures and strawberries.

But still, if you find polyps and papillomatosis in yourself, it is better not to take risks, but to remove them as soon as possible, and no one forbids you to strengthen your immune system using natural means, and this can be done at any time, both before and immediately after surgery .

Preventive measures can be combined with the use of traditional therapy. So, lead a healthy lifestyle - don’t drink alcohol, stop smoking. Be more careful during sexual intercourse, try not to touch a carrier of the papillomavirus. All these actions will help prevent the appearance of tumors.