Approximately 20 million people have the human papillomavirus, or HPV, in the United States, making it the most common sexually transmitted disease in the country, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are more than100 different types of human papillomavirus, each with the potential to cause abnormal growths or lesions on the genitals, anus, hands and feet. Treatment of HPV depends upon the strain a person has and which body system is affected.
Common or Plantar Warts
Common warts usually grow on the hands and fingers. They are small, rough bumps that are white, pink or tan. Plantar warts are most commonly found on the soles of the feet and can look like rough, scaly bumps with black pinpoints which are actually small clotted blood vessels. Many wart removers can be purchased over-the-counter at a store and contain salicylic acid. Salicylic acid comes as a topical solution and works by removing layers of the wart a bit at a time. Several applications may be required to remove the wart completely. Another method of removing common or plantar warts involves cryotherapy performed in a physician’s office. During a cryotherapy treatment, liquid nitrogen is applied directly to the wart, freezing the tissue. Cryotherapy often needs two to four treatments over one to three weeks, according to the FamilyDoctor.org website.
Genital Warts
Genital warts are small flesh colored bumps that commonly affect the moist tissues of the genitals and anus including inside the vagina, cervix and anus. Genital warts can be small, singular nodules or clusters of cauliflower-like bumps. According to the MayoClinic.com, many genital warts go away without treatment. Many patients, however, prefer to start treatment due to discomfort or embarrassment.
Imiquimod is a topical medication applied directly to the wart yet does not destroy the warts tissue but instead boosts the body’s immune system to fight the virus. Podophyllin and podofilox, both topical medications, work by destroying the wart’s tissue and patients may apply it themselves at home. Trichloroacetic acid is another topical treatment and works by chemically burning off the wart. A physician must apply trichloroacetic acid. If topical medications do not work, physicians may recommend cryotherapy, surgical excision or laser treatments to remove the warts.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women and is most commonly caused by the human papillomavirus. Initial treatments for suspected cervical cancer include attempting to remove the affected cervical cells using laser surgery or cryosurgery to kill the cancerous and precancerous cells. Physicians may also choose a loop electrosurgical excision procedure or LEEP procedure to remove the cells. A LEEP uses an electrified wire loop to cut through the cervix removing affected cells. When cervical cancer has become invasive, moving into the deeper tissues of the cervix, treatment becomes more extensive. Physicians often perform a hysterectomy, surgically removing the uterus. A hysterectomy cures many cervical cancers that are less than 3mm into the cervix. Patients may also need radiation and chemotherapy as part of their treatments.
