Anal warts
What is the cause of anal warts?
Anal warts are a viral disease caused by a virus human papilloma virus (HPV). According to WHO, papillomavirus infection is currently one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.: HPV is infected with 9-15% of the adult population worldwide.Currently, more than 100 types of this virus are known. HPV of "high oncogenic risk" (primarily 16, 18, 31, 33 and 35) increases the risk of cervical cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal and perianal skin. Low-risk HPV types (mainly 6 and 11) cause genital warts. The simultaneous presence of HPV strains of high and low oncogenic risk is possible in the body, therefore, after the treatment of anal warts, it is mandatory to monitor HPV infection of high oncogenic risk in patients of both sexes in order to prevent oncological diseases of the genitals, rectum and anal canal.
How are anal warts diagnosed?
The main sign of the disease is the presence of pathological growths in the anus, possibly the presence of similar formations on the skin of the perineum and / or genitals. Warts are usually painless, but patients may complain of itching, discharge from the anal canal, and burning in the anus. As warts grow, they cause significant discomfort, get injured, get wet and bleed, dirty laundry, make it difficult to carry out hygiene procedures, and infection is possible.
To assess the degree of damage to the anus and anal canal, the doctor usually uses simple anoscopy (examination of the anal canal) and high-resolution anoscopy (assessment of the condition of the mucous membrane of the anal canal under a microscope to detect intraepithelial changes under the influence of HPV)
What treatment methods are available?
Treatment of genital warts is carried out by a dermatologist with the participation of an immunologist and, if necessary, surgical treatment by a coloproctologist. If the warts are small and located only on the skin around the anus (perianal warts), medical treatment can be performed — topical application of medications for several weeks. The treatment is carried out with great care so as not to damage healthy skin.Immunomodulators (drugs that increase the body's resistance to viral infection) may be prescribed. Surgical removal of perianal condylomas is indicated in the absence of the effect of drug treatment and with large sizes of formations.
If there are warts of any size directly in the anus (intraanal warts), surgical removal is required. There are different ways to excise condylomas — the radio wave method, laser or coagulator excision.The operation is performed under local anesthesia. After surgery, treatment of postoperative wounds is required, which the patient usually performs independently at home with medications recommended by the doctor. The bandage is applied only to those areas that are irritated by the laundry. A follow-up examination is performed 7 days after the operation, and a follow-up examination is recommended after 1 month.
Any type of surgical treatment of large formations with a dense base is performed only after consultation with an oncologist at the EMC Oncology and Hematology Clinic. If the formations are more than 1 cm in diameter, the doctor takes a piece of the wart for histological examination (biopsy) before the operation.
Prevention of recurrence of anal warts
Removal of warts solves mainly a cosmetic problem, it does not eliminate HPV infection and does not prevent further transmission of the virus.The recurrence (re-development) of warts occurs due to the fact that the human papillomavirus, once in the human body, is constantly present in it, sometimes without causing clinical manifestations.A recurrence of warts occurs when general and local immunity is weakened, and when the skin and mucous membranes are injured during sexual intercourse. Therefore, EMC coloproctologists recommend that patients be regularly monitored by their doctor after genital warts are removed and that newly formed warts be removed in a timely manner.
If the patient is a woman, after removal of the anal warts, follow—up with a gynecologist and screening for papillomavirus infection is recommended: regular analysis of smears from the cervical cytology and colposcopy.
If the patient is a man, consultation with a urologist and subsequent monitoring of papillomavirus infection by taking swabs from the urethra is recommended.
Make an appointment for a consultation and we will contact you for more details
Why the EMC
The first and only clinic in Russia, created in the image of the world's leading clinics
EMC is a multidisciplinary center offering patients a high level of medical services and a personalized approach
Worldwide recognition and awards

Worldwide recognition and awards

Make an appointment for a consultation
Specify your contacts and we will contact you to clarify the details
Reviews
and new products of the EMC