What are the key differences between benign warts and potentially cancerous skin growths. How can you identify warning signs that require medical attention. What are common types of hand and wrist tumors, and how are they diagnosed and treated.

Understanding Wart-Like Skin Growths: Benign vs. Malignant

Skin growths that resemble warts can sometimes be a cause for concern. While most warts are benign and harmless, certain types of skin cancer can mimic their appearance. It’s crucial to understand the differences between benign warts and potentially malignant growths to ensure early detection and proper treatment.

Characteristics of Common Warts

Common warts are typically:

• Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Painless and don’t usually bleed or crust
• Often rough or grainy in texture
• Generally small in size
• May appear in clusters

Warning Signs of Potentially Cancerous Growths

Skin growths that may indicate cancer often exhibit the following characteristics:

• Size larger than 6 mm
• Persistent for over six weeks
• Tendency to crust or bleed
• Located on sun-exposed areas like the face, neck, or hands
• May be painful, itchy, or burning

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers Resembling Warts

Certain types of non-melanoma skin cancers can be mistaken for warts due to their similar appearance. Understanding these types can help in early detection and prompt medical intervention.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. It develops in the squamous cells of the epidermis and is often caused by prolonged UV exposure. SCC can manifest as:

• A red, scaly plaque that may develop a sore
• A hard, red, dome-shaped bump
• A wart-like growth prone to bleeding or crusting
• Pink, dry growths that may itch or burn

Can squamous cell carcinoma spread to other parts of the body? While SCC typically develops slowly, it can metastasize to lymph nodes and organs if left untreated. However, early detection and treatment significantly improve prognosis.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Basal cell carcinoma, though less common than SCC, can also resemble warts. It often appears as a small, pearly bump that may be mistaken for a harmless growth. BCC is generally less aggressive than SCC but still requires prompt treatment.

Distinguishing Between Warts and Skin Cancer

Differentiating between benign warts and cancerous growths can be challenging without professional medical evaluation. However, there are some key factors to consider:

• Duration: Warts often resolve on their own within months to years, while cancerous growths persist and may grow
• Pain and sensitivity: Warts are usually painless, while cancerous growths may be tender or painful
• Bleeding and crusting: Skin cancers are more likely to bleed or develop a crust
• Location: Sun-exposed areas are more prone to skin cancer development
• Appearance changes: Rapid changes in size, color, or texture may indicate malignancy

When should you seek medical attention for a suspicious skin growth? If you notice any growth that persists for more than six weeks, changes in appearance, or exhibits concerning symptoms like bleeding or pain, consult a dermatologist promptly.

Common Hand and Wrist Tumors

While skin cancers can occur on the hands, there are several other types of benign tumors that commonly affect the hands and wrists. Understanding these can help alleviate unnecessary concerns and guide appropriate treatment.

Ganglion Cysts

Ganglion cysts are the most common type of wrist and hand tumor. These fluid-filled sacs typically develop near joints or tendons and have the following characteristics:

• Firm to the touch
• Often located on the wrist or at the base of fingers
• Can vary in size over time
• Usually painless, but may cause discomfort if pressing on a nerve

How are ganglion cysts treated? Treatment options for ganglion cysts include observation, aspiration (draining the fluid with a needle), or surgical removal, depending on the size and symptoms.

Giant Cell Tumor of the Tendon Sheath

This benign tumor is the second most common hand tumor and differs from ganglion cysts in several ways:

• Solid rather than fluid-filled
• Slow-growing
• Usually painless
• May affect finger mobility if large enough

Epidermal Inclusion Cyst

These benign cysts form just beneath the skin and have distinct characteristics:

• Develop where there may have been a previous cut or puncture
• Filled with keratin, a soft, waxy material
• Generally slow-growing
• May become inflamed or infected

Other Types of Hand and Wrist Tumors

While less common, several other types of tumors can affect the hands and wrists. These include:

• Lipomas: Benign fatty tumors
• Neuromas: Tumors arising from nerve tissue
• Nerve sheath tumors: Growths originating from the cells surrounding nerves
• Fibromas: Benign tumors composed of fibrous or connective tissue
• Glomus tumors: Rare, often painful tumors that develop from blood vessels

Are these hand and wrist tumors cancerous? The vast majority of hand and wrist tumors are benign. However, it’s essential to have any new or changing growth evaluated by a medical professional to rule out malignancy.

Diagnosing Hand and Wrist Tumors

Proper diagnosis of hand and wrist tumors involves a comprehensive approach:

1. Physical examination: A hand surgeon will carefully examine the growth and review your medical history
2. Imaging studies: X-rays are often the first step to evaluate bones and soft tissues. Additional imaging like ultrasound, CT, or MRI may be necessary for a more detailed view
3. Biopsy: In some cases, a needle biopsy or small tissue sample may be taken to confirm the diagnosis

Why is accurate diagnosis important? Proper identification of the tumor type guides treatment decisions and helps rule out more serious conditions like malignancy.

Treatment Options for Hand and Wrist Tumors

Treatment for hand and wrist tumors varies depending on the type, size, location, and symptoms. Common approaches include:

• Observation: For small, asymptomatic tumors that don’t interfere with function
• Aspiration: Draining fluid-filled cysts with a needle
• Surgical excision: Removing the tumor entirely, often recommended for larger or symptomatic growths
• Specialized treatments: Some tumors may require specific approaches, such as radiation therapy for certain types of benign but aggressive tumors

How is the best treatment option determined? The choice of treatment depends on various factors, including the tumor type, its impact on hand function, and the patient’s overall health and preferences. A hand surgeon will discuss the most appropriate options based on individual circumstances.

Preventing and Managing Skin Growths

While not all skin growths can be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and manage existing conditions:

• Sun protection: Use broad-spectrum sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and avoid excessive sun exposure to reduce the risk of skin cancer
• Regular self-examinations: Check your skin monthly for any new or changing growths
• Maintain good hygiene: Wash hands regularly and avoid touching or picking at warts to prevent spread
• Boost immune health: A strong immune system can help fight off HPV, the virus responsible for warts
• Seek prompt medical attention: Have any suspicious growths evaluated by a dermatologist or hand specialist

Can lifestyle changes reduce the risk of developing skin growths? While some factors are beyond our control, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, protecting your skin from UV damage, and practicing good hygiene can significantly reduce the risk of certain skin growths and cancers.

Understanding the various types of skin growths and hand tumors is crucial for early detection and appropriate treatment. While most wart-like growths and hand tumors are benign, it’s essential to remain vigilant and seek medical attention for any suspicious or persistent growths. Regular self-examinations, sun protection, and prompt professional evaluation when needed are key components of maintaining healthy skin and hands. By staying informed and proactive, you can effectively manage your skin health and catch any potential issues early, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

Skin cancer that looks like warts

Non-melanoma skin cancers that can look like warts

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. It forms when squamous cells begin to grow uncontrollably in the top layers of the skin, called the epidermis. In most cases, it is caused by repeated exposure to UV rays over time.

Squamous cell carcinoma has many symptoms, one of which is very wart-like. Squamous cell carcinoma usually first appears as:

• a red, scaly, sometimes crusty plaque of skin that may get bigger and develop a sore
• a red, hard domed bump that won’t go away
• a wart-like growth that may bleed or crust

The growths may also be pink and dry and may itch or burn. Squamous cell carcinoma typically shows up on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, lips, arms, legs, and tops of hands. It usually develops slowly but can spread to the lymph nodes and other organs if left untreated. If caught early though, it is highly treatable.

Another rarer type of non-melanoma skin cancer that can also be confused for a wart is basal cell carcinoma. It often appears as a small pearly bump that may sometimes resemble a wart.

> Learn more about basal cell carcinoma.

How to tell the difference

Warts are usually harmless growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are typically removed to prevent them from spreading to other areas of the body, but, in most cases, they don’t have life-threatening effects like skin cancer. The main differentiator to keep in mind is that warts are generally painless and won’t crust or bleed, while skin cancer usually will. If you have a bump that is over 6 mm in size and hasn’t gone away in over six weeks, it could be a sign of cancer, especially if it crusts or bleeds and is on the neck, face, or other areas of the body regularly exposed to the sun.

What does a normal mole look like?

When in doubt, get a biopsy

If you have any suspicions about a wart-like growth on your body, go to your doctor or dermatologist immediately to get it checked out. Only a biopsy can definitively say if it is cancer or not. Stay vigilant and check your skin regularly to stay on top of any developments that could be a sign of something more dangerous.

Common skin lesions

Wrist or Hand Tumor: Signs & Treatment

Common Types of Wrist Tumors and Hand Tumors

• Ganglion Cysts (Figure 1): This is the most common wrist and hand tumor. Ganglion cysts are seen frequently in the wrist but can occur at the base of the fingers or around the finger joints. The cyst is typically filled with fluid, and it will feel very firm. There are several treatment options for a ganglion cyst, including observation (doing nothing), aspiration (puncturing with a needle) or surgically removing it.
• Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (Figure 2): This is the second most common hand tumor. Unlike the fluid-filled ganglion cyst, these tumors are solid. They are benign (not cancer) and slow-growing.
• Epidermal inclusion cyst (Figure 3): This tumor is benign and forms just underneath the skin where there may have been a cut or puncture. The cyst is filled with keratin, a soft, waxy material.

There are other less common types of tumors seen in the hand, including lipomas (fatty tumors), neuromas (nerve tumors), nerve sheath tumors, fibromas and glomus tumors, among others. Almost all are benign.

Other Causes of Lumps, Bumps and Masses

Foreign bodies, such as a splinter, can cause reactions that form bumps in the hand. Dupuytren’s Contracture may cause firm bumps in the hand, which are often confused with tumors (Figure 4). Finally, blood vessel growths can also be confused with other tumors.

How Your Doctor Will Diagnose

A physical exam and review of your medical history by a hand surgeon can help to determine the type of wrist or hand tumor you may have. X-rays might be taken to evaluate the bones, joints and possibly the soft tissue. Further studies such as ultrasound, CT, MRI or bone scans may be done to help narrow down the diagnosis. Needle biopsy or incisional biopsy (cutting out a small sample of the tumor) may be considered if the surgeon wants to confirm the diagnosis before recommending treatment.

4 Common Types of Hand Tumors

Hand tumors and wrist tumors can come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes, it may just look like an ordinary lump or bump. And while it may technically be a tumor, the tumor is not necessarily cancerous. There are many different types of hand tumors, and most are benign, which means non-cancerous. Hand tumors can be something as common as a wart or a mole, which are on top of the skin, or something more uncommon that is beneath the skin. Here are some examples of common hand tumors:

1. Warts

Warts are very common bumps on the skin that are non-cancerous. They appear due to the human papilloma virus (HPV) and can spread easily. While these bumps are mostly harmless, they can be embarrassing, rough to the touch, and sometimes very itchy. Warts can be treated with something as simple as a pumice stone, by freezing it, by applying tape over it and peeling it off, or with a chemical.

2. Ganglion Cysts
Ganglion cysts are some of the most common tumors in the hand that can fluctuate in size and appearance depending on the person. For some, a ganglion cyst may be soft, for others it may be firm. They may appear on your wrist or or at the base of your finger, in which case they may be smaller than the size of a pea. Ganglion cysts may or may not be painful, and the cause of these tumors is unknown. Fortunately, this type of tumor is not cancerous. If the bump is not painful and is not affecting your daily life, your surgeon may recommend to leave it alone. Other treatment options may include aspiration (puncturing with a needle) or surgically removing it.

3. Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath
This is the second most common tumor that appears in the hands and wrists. Giant cell tumors are usually solid and not filled with liquid. They are not cancerous, and may grow larger (slowly) over time.

4. Epidermal inclusion cyst
This tumor is also non-cancerous.  Sometimes, this tumor can appear where there previously was a cut or puncture. It is usually filled with keratin, a soft, waxy material.

Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition of the hand that is commonly mistaken for a tumor. Dupuytren’s causes firm pits, bumps and cords in the palm of the hand and can make it difficult to completely flatten the hand, but it is not technically a tumor.

If you have a tumor on your hand or wrist, your best option is to visit a hand surgeon to determine the type of tumor and make sure it isn’t cancerous. Your surgeon will help you decide the best treatment option by performing a full examination of your hand/wrist which may include an x-ray or bone scan. Sometimes, the best option is just to leave it alone. Other times, you may need surgery to remove it and find out more about what type of tumor it is. There are also non-surgical treatment options. Talk to your surgeon for more details. You can learn more about hand tumors and other hand conditions and injuries at www.HandCare.org.

Wart Virus – an overview

HPV infection is oncogenic due to the presence of two of its oncoproteins namely E6 and E7, which promotes the degradation of tumor suppressor genes p53 and pRb. About 75% of the OPSCC are HPV positive cases. In HPV positive HNC, EGFR is down-regulated owing to genetic aberrations but shows an increased expression for HER2 and HER3. HER3 over-expression in pharyngeal cancer patients was associated with lower survival rates. HPV E6 and E7 proteins inhibit the ubiquitination of HER3 by sequestering the E3 ubiquitin ligases Nrdp1 or NEDD4. In HNSCC cell lines, the levels of HER2, HER3, HER2-HER3, HER3-PI3K protein clusters were found to be higher in HPV positive rather than HPV negative cases. The over-expressed HER3 dimerizes with other RTKs and activates the signaling cascade via the PI3K pathway (Brand et al., 2017). The Axl signatures have not been significantly differentiated between HPV positive and negative cases to date. VEGF expression has been reported to be induced by the HPV E6 oncoprotein independent of the tumor suppressor p53 (Kramer et al., 2016). EGFR (HER1) exhibits a lower expression corresponding to a lower copy number in HPV positive OPSCC in comparison with the HPV negative ones. Further, mutations associated with EGFR in HPV positive HNC are a rare event. 16% of HPV negative HNSCC harbor mutations/amplification in EGFR, 4% for IGF1R and 14% for FGFR1/2/3 (Saada-Bouzid & Le Tourneau, 2019). Thus, cases with p16 positive/HPV positive HNC have in general better prognosis, lower loco-regional failures and higher survival rate (Mirghani & Blanchard, 2018). Concerning FGFR, 10% of HPV negative HNSCC harbor FGFR1 mutations or amplifications while 11% of HPV positive HNSCC harbor FGFR3 mutations or fusions (Eze, Lo, & Burtness, 2017). High IGF1R expression has been seen in HPV negative HNSCC (Kumar, Rayala, & Venkatraman, 2018). Numerous de-regulated RTKs associated with HPV positive HNC are enlisted in Fig. 2. Thus, the over-expression of RTKs, especially HER2/3, might be a cardinal factor contributing to the superior therapeutic responses in HPV positive HNC patients.

Fig. 2. Various RTKs which are up-regulated and down-regulated in HPV positive head and neck cancers (Bersani et al. , 2018; Bossi et al., 2016; Cho et al., 2019; Koole et al., 2016; Pollock et al., 2015; Schultz et al., 2011; Suh, Amelio, Guerrero Urbano, & Tavassoli, 2014).

What is Keratoacanthoma? Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment

Keratoacanthoma is a dome-shaped lump or tumor that grows on your skin. Once you spot it, it’s important to talk to your doctor. It sometimes happens to people before they get squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common type of skin cancer. If you catch the problem early, treatment usually works well.

Symptoms

You might think you have a pimple or boil at first, but keratoacanthoma can grow fast and get as big as a quarter in a couple of months.

It looks like a small, red or skin-colored volcano — there’s a distinctive crater at the top of the lump that often has keratin, or dead skin cells, inside.

You’ll usually see keratoacanthoma on skin that’s been exposed to the sun, like your head, neck, arms, the backs of your hands, and sometimes your legs. It often starts in a hair follicle.

Who Gets Keratoacanthoma?

Men are twice as likely to have the condition as women. It’s also more common for white people than those with darker skin and in people age 60 and over. It’s rare for anyone under age 20 to have keratoacanthoma.

Doctors don’t know what causes keratoacanthoma, but some things make you more likely to get it:

Getting a Diagnosis

Your doctor will probably take a biopsy, or a piece of the tumor, to send to an expert called a pathologist, who will examine the sample under a microscope. The cells of keratoacanthoma often look just like those of squamous cell carcinoma. Your doctor will have to remove a large-enough piece so the pathologist can see the shape of the tumor with its distinctive crater.

Treatments for Keratoacanthoma

The most common treatment is surgery to remove the keratoacanthoma. You can have the procedure in your doctor’s office with medicine to numb the area around the tumor.

There are a few different surgeries your doctor may use. They can:

• Scrape off the tumor and seal up the wound.
• Apply liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the tumor. This is called cryosurgery.
• Cut the tumor out and use stitches to close the area.
• Remove one layer of tissue at a time and examine each one under a microscope to make sure all abnormal cells are gone. This is called Mohs surgery. It’s the most precise way to get rid of keratoacanthoma but also the most expensive.

If you can’t have surgery, or if you have multiple keratoacanthomas, you can try other treatments:

It’s not unusual for a single keratoacanthoma to shrink and disappear on its own after several months. But it may leave a worse scar than one from surgery. It could also come back, so it’s best to get it removed.

If you don’t treat it, keratoacanthoma can spread throughout your body.

Prevention

Once you’ve had one keratoacanthoma, you may be more likely to get others in the future. Check your skin regularly for any lumps or unusual spots, and see your doctor for a full-body exam twice a year.

It’s also important to protect your skin from sun damage.

• Avoid going outside from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun is strongest.
• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher.
• Wear sun-protective clothing and hats when you’re outside.
• Don’t use tanning beds.

Conditions Related to Keratoacanthoma

These conditions are extremely rare, but they can cause multiple keratoacanthomas to grow on your skin. There can be so many that doctors can’t remove them all with surgery.

Ferguson-Smith. This can cause as many as 100 keratoacanthomas at one time. It’s the most common type of multiple keratoacanthoma. It’s a condition you can get through your genes and may start as early as age 8.

You may take retinoid medicine to try to reduce the number of additional tumors.

Grzybowski syndrome is even more rare. It causes tumors that are smaller but itch intensely. They may even show up in the mouth.

Respiratory Papilloma | Michigan Medicine

A respiratory papilloma (pap-pill-LO-ma) is a wart-like growth or tumor on the surface of the larynx (voice box). Respiratory papillomas are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). They’re usually benign (non-cancerous). These growths can lead to vocal cord damage and airway problems. 

Because the virus is in the tissue, respiratory papillomas tend to reoccur even after they are removed. This is called recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP).  

Most cases of respiratory papilloma occur in children, who typically start showing symptoms at age 3 or 4. Adults usually develop this condition at age 40+. 

Signs or Symptoms

The most common symptom is progressive hoarseness. Additional symptoms include:

• Hoarse, rough cough
• Increased vocal effort
• Breathing problems, if the lesions grow large enough to interfere with the airway
• Feeling as if there is a lump in the throat
• Ear pain

Diagnosis

The University of Michigan Vocal Health Center team will ask you about your symptoms and medical history, and then do a thorough head and neck examination. During this process, we will also assess your vocal quality, efficiency and speaking technique. 

Depending upon our findings, we may need to do one of two procedures:

• Laryngeal videostroboscopy procedure — We use a flexible and/or rigid endoscope attached to a video monitor and a light source. This allows us to fully evaluate laryngeal function and vibration.
• Direct laryngoscopy or microlaryngoscopy — This procedure lets the physician fully examine the vocal folds with high magnification. The procedure is done under general anesthesia. During the procedure, the physician may obtain tissue samples for biopsy or remove a mass or tumor. A biopsy is a test that checks for inflammation or cancer cells. 

Treatment

We remove respiratory papillomas using traditional surgery or carbon dioxide laser surgery. Severe cases can also be treated with chemotherapy. 

Respiratory papillomas can be removed using traditional surgery or carbon dioxide laser surgery. Because these tumors often come back, the patient often needs to have further surgeries.

Make an Appointment

Schedule an appointment by calling us at (734) 936-8051.

Warts – Dermatologic Disorders – Merck Manuals Professional Edition

• Topical irritants (eg, salicylic acid, cantharidin, podophyllum resin)

• Destructive methods (eg, cryosurgery, electrocautery, curettage, excision, laser)

• Other topical therapies, intralesional injection therapies, or combinations

There are no firm indications for treatment of warts. Treatment should be considered for warts that are cosmetically unacceptable, in locations that interfere with function, or painful. Patients should be motivated to adhere to treatment, which may require a prolonged course and can be unsuccessful. Treatments are less successful in patients with impaired immune systems.

Mechanisms of many irritants include eliciting an immune response to HPV. Such irritants include salicylic acid (SCA), trichloroacetic acid, 5-fluorouracil, podophyllum resin, tretinoin, and cantharidin.

Topical imiquimod 5% cream induces skin cells to locally produce antiviral cytokines. Topical cidofovir and contact immunotherapy (eg, squaric acid dibutyl ester and Candida antigen) have been used to treat warts. Warts can first be soaked in hot water at 113° F for 30 minutes ≥ 3 times/week. After soaking, the skin is more permeable to topical drugs. Candida antigen can also be injected directly into the lesions.

Oral treatments include cimetidine (which has questionable efficacy), isotretinoin, and zinc. IV cidofovir can also be used. In most instances, modalities should be combined to increase the likelihood of success. Direct antiviral effects can be achieved with intralesional injection of bleomycin and interferon alfa-2b, but these treatments are reserved for the most recalcitrant warts.

These drugs can be used in combination with a destructive method (eg, cryosurgery, electrocautery, curettage, excision, laser) because even though a wart may be physically removed by a destructive method, virus may remain in the tissues and cause recurrence.

In immunocompetent patients, common warts usually spontaneously regress within 2 to 4 years, but some linger for many years. Numerous treatments are available. Destructive methods include electrocautery, cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen, and laser surgery. Salicylic acid (SCA) preparations are also commonly used.

Which method is used depends on the location and severity of involvement.

Salicylic acid is the most common topical agent used. SCA is available as a liquid or plaster or impregnated within tape. For example, 17% liquid SCA can be used on the fingers, and 40% plaster SCA can be used on the soles. Patients apply SCA to their warts at night and leave it on for 8 to 48 hours depending on the site.

Cantharidin can be used alone or in combination (1%) with SCA (30%) and podophyllum (5%) in a collodion base. Cantharidin alone is removed with soap and water after 6 hours; cantharidin with SCA or podophyllum is removed in 2 hours. The longer these agents are left in contact with the skin, the more brisk the blistering response.

Cryosurgery is painful but extremely effective. Electrodesiccation with curettage, laser surgery, or both is effective and indicated for isolated lesions but may cause scarring. Recurrent or new warts occur in about 35% of patients within 1 year; therefore, methods that scar should be avoided as much as possible so that multiple scars do not accumulate. When possible, scarring treatments are reserved for cosmetically unimportant areas and recalcitrant warts.

Treatment of filiform warts is removal with scalpel, scissors, curettage, or liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen should be applied so that up to 2 mm of skin surrounding the wart turns white. Damage to the skin occurs when the skin thaws, which usually takes 10 to 20 seconds. Blisters can occur 24 to 48 hours after treatment with liquid nitrogen. Care must be taken when treating cosmetically sensitive sites, such as the face and neck, because hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation frequently occurs after treatment with liquid nitrogen. Patients with darkly pigmented skin can develop permanent depigmentation.

Treatment of flat warts is difficult, and flat warts are often longer-lasting than common warts, recalcitrant to treatments, and, in cosmetically important areas, make the most effective (destructive) methods less desirable. Usual first-line treatment is daily tretinoin (retinoic acid 0.05% cream). If peeling is not sufficient for wart removal, another irritant (eg, 5% benzoyl peroxide) or 5% SCA cream can be applied sequentially with tretinoin. Imiquimod 5% cream can be used alone or in combination with topical drugs or destructive measures. Topical 5-fluorouracil (1% or 5% cream) can also be used.

Treatment of plantar warts is vigorous maceration with 40% SCA plaster kept in place for several days. The wart is then debrided while damp and soft, followed by destruction by freezing or using caustics (eg, 30 to 70% trichloroacetic acid). Other destructive treatments (eg, CO2 laser, pulsed-dye laser, various acids) are often effective.

Combination therapy with liquid nitrogen and imiquimod 5% cream, tretinoin, or SCA is effective and usually safer than liquid nitrogen alone or cautery. Using liquid nitrogen and cautery to treat periungual and lateral finger warts should be done carefully because overly aggressive treatment can cause permanent nail deformity and rarely nerve injury.

Several methods whose long-term value and risks are not fully known are available for the treatment of recalcitrant warts. Intralesional injection of small amounts of a 0.1% solution of bleomycin in saline often cures stubborn plantar and periungual warts. However, Raynaud syndrome Raynaud Syndrome Raynaud syndrome is vasospasm of parts of the hand in response to cold or emotional stress, causing reversible discomfort and color changes (pallor, cyanosis, erythema, or a combination) in… read more or vascular damage may develop in injected digits, especially when the drug is injected at the base of the digit, so caution is warranted. Intralesional Candida antigen has also been reported to be moderately effective for recalcitrant warts. Interferon, especially interferon alfa, given intralesionally (3 times/week for 3 to 5 weeks) or intramuscularly, has also cleared recalcitrant skin and genital warts. Extensive warts sometimes abate or clear with oral isotretinoin or acitretin. The 9-valent HPV vaccine has been reported as useful for recalcitrant warts in children, but efficacy of this intervention is not proved (2 Treatment references Warts are common, benign, epidermal lesions caused by human papillomavirus infection. They can appear anywhere on the body in a variety of morphologies. Diagnosis is by examination. Warts are… read more ).

• 2. Kost Y, Zhu TH, Blasiak RC: Clearance of recalcitrant warts in a pediatric patient following administration of the nine-valent human papillomavirus vaccine. Pediatr Dermatol 37(4):748–749, 2020. doi: 10.1111/pde.14150

Warts | Types of warts | Clinic Prof. J. Kisisa

Warts-causing HPV can infect both skin and mucous membranes. More than 150 different types of this virus are known. Infection occurs by contact, especially when the skin or mucous membrane is injured (scratches and abrasions) and becomes susceptible. As a rule, children or adults with weakened immune systems suffer from warts. Warts can appear in different ways.

Common warts

Fingers, palms and knees are most commonly affected.Common warts are most often whitish or flesh-colored, protrude above the surface of healthy skin, and feel denser to the touch of the surrounding skin. Sometimes the warts are composed of several lobules, like cauliflower. Several warts can grow together into one.

Flat warts

They have a flat surface and are often found in groups. Flat warts can be in line because infection often occurs, for example, when shaving or scratching. Over time, flat warts can look like regular warts.

Plantar warts

This type of warts usually develops on the feet, where the skin is noticeably thicker. Plantar warts are rarely bulging and appear to grow inward. May cause discomfort when walking. As with ordinary warts, several warts can be observed at the same time, which can grow together into one.

The difference between calluses and warts

Plantar warts may initially look like calluses, but calluses are not related to HPV infection – a callus is a thickening of the stratum corneum that occurs under the influence of constant mechanical irritation or pressure.

Filiform warts

Also referred to as hairy warts, they are elongated warts growing on a thin stalk. Often found on the face.

Seborrheic warts

Also known as seborrheic keratoses. Benign skin tumors, the number and size of which increases after age 30. Almost 90% of people over 60 have at least one seborrheic wart.

These warts can be skin colored, brown or black.They may be flat, but later a nodule may form on the outside. Sometimes they can resemble a malignant tumor, and in rare cases, they can only be distinguished from melanoma with a biopsy (removal of a sample of skin tissue for examination under a microscope).

Seborrheic warts are not related to HPV, but a sharp increase in their number may indicate the presence of an internal disease.

The relationship between warts and warts

The most common warts on the mucous membrane are genital warts or sexually transmitted anogenital warts.Anogenital warts affect the genitals and the skin and mucous membrane around the anus. Such warts can also appear on the lips and oral mucosa.

The relationship between papillomas and warts

Papillomas are benign oblong tumors that grow outward. They are usually seen in the armpits and around the neck in middle-aged people. Their cause is not known for certain, but most often they develop as a result of metabolic disorders (for example, in diabetes mellitus).

Wart color value

Warts are usually whitish or flesh-colored. Sometimes, after injury, they can be reddish or black. It is important to consider that these visual signs overlap with signs of skin cancer. Therefore, if suspicions arise, you should consult a dermatologist.

The size of warts and sharply growing warts

Warts can be of various sizes – from the smallest to the largest, even a few centimeters in diameter.

Sharply growing and large warts may indicate possible immunosuppression, and particularly large warts may indicate the presence of HPV squamous cell carcinoma. The longer the warts are not treated, the larger their size and number.

Warts can grow very quickly – a neoplasm 1 cm in size can grow on smooth skin in 2 weeks.

The value of the zone of occurrence of the wart

Various types of warts appear in characteristic areas of the body, but their location does not indicate anything.

Bleeding warts

As a rule, bleeding warts are not dangerous. If bleeding does not stop after applying a pressure bandage, you should see a doctor immediately.

Prolonged and non-healing bleeding ulcers can be a sign of a malignant skin tumor!

Itchy wart

Itching of the wart does not really matter. Itching is often caused by skin irritation or dryness.

Where do the villi come from on the warts?

As a result of HPV infection, the appearance and mechanisms of cell growth control change.Smooth skin can become fringed during these changes

How deep do warts grow?

There is a myth that warts can go deep and “grow to the bone.” A wart is a superficial skin tumor – it develops on the epidermis of the upper layer of the skin. If a wart occurs on the feet, where the skin is thicker, the pressure does not cause it to grow outward, but creates dense tissue in the skin of the foot and grows in breadth.

It is important to consider that squamous cell skin cancer can resemble a wart and grow deeper.

Diagnosis of warts

Most often, warts have a characteristic appearance and location that do not require the use of additional diagnostic methods, but dermatoscopy can be performed (checking the neoplasm using a device that allows you to examine it in magnification and in the subcutaneous layers), as well as perform a biopsy (surgical cut with the purpose of the cellular analysis), if the good quality of the neoplasm is in doubt.

HPV detection is relatively expensive and does not in any way affect the diagnosis and / or treatment.In any case, it only identifies high-risk HPV types that cause cervical cancer in women, but does not exclude the presence of other HPV types.

Association of warts with tumors

Although warts often go away on their own, in people with impaired immunity, warts can grow and become a chronic problem. Removing warts during treatment is highly recommended because the presence of warts leads to their growth and spread, which increases the risk of developing a malignant neoplasm.

Certain types of HPV can cause serious diseases such as papillomatosis of the throat and respiratory tract, as well as cervical cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal. It is important to take into account that certain subtypes of skin tumors can mimic warts, so checking them is especially important. Currently, the state pays for the vaccination of girls who have not yet started sexual activity. Thus, the prevalence of high-risk HPV types and the incidence of cervical cancer among young women are decreasing.

All about warts and papillomas

A variety of types of neoplasms are known to medicine. Not all of them are dangerous to human health, but most of them cause both physical and psychological discomfort. That is why today many people seek help from the centers of aesthetic medicine in order to get rid of neoplasms that interfere with normal life. Especially often people want to remove warts that have appeared on the face and hands. In this article, we will tell you about the types of warts and the most modern treatments for this disease.

What you need to know about warts?

Warts are a skin disease that manifests itself in the form of a tumor-like formation, but not of an inflammatory nature. A typical wart is a skin swelling, the size of which can reach the size of a pinhead or even exceed this size.

How do warts occur?

The appearance of warts is provoked by a virus (human papillomaviruses). These viruses can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, as well as through objects that are in common use.The incubation period of the papilloma virus can last for several months.

What types of warts are known to medicine?

Modern medicine knows several types of warts. Common warts are dense nodules of 3 to 10 mm. in diameter. These warts have a rough surface and most often appear on the face, the back of the hands, and the scalp.

Plantar warts appear, respectively, on the soles of the feet.These warts tend to be painful. They consist of tightly connected filiform papillae, which are surrounded by a powerful corneous ridge that looks like a corn. The most common cause of plantar warts is uncomfortable shoes that rub and press against the foot.

Juvenile or flat warts are small (up to 3 mm) nodular formations that have the color of normal skin or are slightly yellowish. They are distinguished by a rounded or polygonal shape, a smooth surface.They can appear on the back of the hands and on the face, protruding slightly above the surface of the skin. Quite often, flat warts appear in a person at a young (most often school) age.

Genital warts (or papillomas ) are another type of warts. But the removal of these warts is no longer performed by cosmetologists, but by gynecologists, venereologists and urologists.

Diagnosing a wart isn’t always easy. Quite often, these neoplasms are disguised as certain skin diseases.It is especially difficult to identify a wart with the naked eye. So, for example, plantar warts almost do not differ from calluses, and genital warts are easy to confuse with wide ones.

If you notice a wart, call your beautician!

Any neoplasm is an alarming signal. After all, not all neoplasms are related to warts. The most important thing is not to confuse a wart with a swelling on the skin. However, there are cases when a wart, for one reason or another, is transformed into a tumor.While the signs of warts are well known, we do not advise you to self-diagnose.

In modern dermatological clinics, video dermatoscopy is used for more accurate diagnostics. With its help, it is possible to greatly increase the image of any type of skin rash, obtaining the most detailed information about the changes that occur in this area of ​​the skin.

Removal of warts with folk remedies

Everyone knows that warts can not only be removed in the clinic, but also removed at home.However, we advise you not to rush using folk remedies. All these conspiracies and ointments against warts do not help as often as we would like. Therefore, it is better not to risk it, but to immediately make an appointment with an experienced specialist.

What do the doctor’s say?

Any specialist in the field of dermatology will tell you that not all warts can be removed. The main condition for effective treatment of warts is not to cause harm to the body with this treatment. You should contact a dermatologist for help if:

• the wart is causing you physical discomfort;
• the wart bleeds, transforms, or changes color;
• the wart increases in size;
• the wart spoils your appearance;
• the number of warts is constantly growing.

Clinical treatment of warts and papillomas

Removal of warts and papillomas should be carried out under the supervision of a physician, since there is always a threat of transformation of the wart into a malignant neoplasm. The most radical way to deal with warts is to remove them. Modern medicine knows many ways to destroy warts. The use of a particular method depends on the type of wart and its location. The most common methods of removing warts today are electrocautery, cryotherapy and laser therapy.

Laser wart removal

In the St. Petersburg center for laser medicine LaserMed you can order a quick and painless removal of any type of warts. Our experienced professionals will treat your wart with a laser under local anesthesia. Also, you will be provided with advice on skin care and given all the necessary recommendations.

Remember that warts are a type of viral infection, which means that their appearance is directly related to a weakened immune system.That is why we often send our patients to an immunologist for examination. The extensive experience of our specialists and the modern laser equipment they use to remove warts guarantees a positive therapeutic result and the safety of your body’s health.

Warts, papillomas and condylomas – advice on treatment from doctors Verba Medical LLC

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is present in almost 80% of people. It can appear immediately or after a long time.One of the key factors in its manifestation is a weakened immune system. More than 100 types of HPV have now been identified. Some types of HPV appear on the skin, while others, such as HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 30, 31, 33, affect the mucous membranes.

The manifestations of this virus – warts, warts, or papillomas, are a kind of reservoir for it, in which it accumulates and can be incorporated into the DNA of epithelial cells or mucous membranes. In this case, the virus causes changes in cells that can contribute to the development of cancerous tumors.There are a number of types of HPV with high oncogenic risk. The presence of these types of virus in the body increases the likelihood of developing cancer by 60 times, primarily genital cancer, both in men and women.

The penetration of the virus into the skin or mucosal cells can occur through microcracks, scratches, but HPV can also leak out without any damage. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is carried by scales that flake off from neoplasms and lesions.The virus can be transmitted from person to person through close physical contact, during intercourse. But you can also get infected with the virus through ordinary household items, for example, towels, hygiene items, manicure tools, etc. From the moment of infection to the manifestation of HPV, it can take up to six months.

Neoplasms that are located in the axillary region, on the soles of the feet, in places of rubbing of clothes, in addition to serious discomfort, pose a risk of serious complications.The damaged neoplasm begins to bleed and become the cause of infection with various infectious diseases.

Most often, warts and other manifestations of HPV can be found in children and adults under 30 years old, in people with chronic skin diseases, for example, psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, as well as in people with a weakened immune system. Often the virus manifests itself after suffering inflammatory diseases such as hepatitis B and C, COVID-19, etc.

Removal of warts with nitrogen

Warts are a group of benign tumors on the skin.They differ in their surface location, rough or soft wet surface. Rounded in different sizes and can merge with each other. Sometimes they ache with pressure on the fingers and soles. The cause of the appearance of warts is in human papillomaviruses, which penetrate deep into the skin and contribute to excessive cell proliferation.

Peculiarities of procedure

Removal of large warts with nitrogen is carried out under local anesthesia. Small warts do not need to be numbed.
One treatment is sufficient to remove small warts on the face, body or fingers. Repeated treatments are often required to remove large warts or plantar warts.

The healing time after the removal of warts is delayed due to the formation of blisters and edema. It often takes more than a week for wounds to heal after minor warts. A preliminary appointment for deletion is required.

Preparation and process

How to prepare for the procedure

Before removing warts with nitrogen, half an hour or an hour beforehand, you need to take an anesthetic tablet from the category of NSAIDs (analgin 0.5 mg, ketonal 100 mg), if there are no contraindications to them.If there is concern, a herbal sedative (valerian, motherwort, and others) can be taken before the procedure.

Process description

During nitrogen removal, the doctor touches the areas of the skin with warts with a special stick wrapped in sterile cotton wool and moistened with nitrogen, freezing them. The procedure consists of several cycles of freezing and thawing. It is possible to use other tools, but the principle of their operation is the same.

What to do after deleting

After removing the warts with nitrogen, you need to treat the wounds with the medicines prescribed by the doctor. These can be means for the speedy drying of blisters (potassium permanganate, calendula), antiviral (from HPV) or antimicrobial agents (antibiotics), as well as ointments to reduce the severity of edema. The doctor decides this individually in each case. Blistering and swelling is normal after nitrogen removal. In most cases, the swelling goes away on its own in a few days.The blisters dry up within a week after common warts or two after plantar warts.

Why are warts dangerous?

Human papillomaviruses multiply in warts and move to new previously healthy areas of the skin, where they can also cause the appearance of new warts. In addition to the skin, viruses get on objects, public surfaces, where they are picked up by other people who also develop warts. However, HPV can also cause cancers of the cervix, vulva, larynx and pharynx.And the warts themselves are often transformed into cancer, especially with frequent damage.

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Equipment

To remove warts with nitrogen, cotton swabs soaked in nitrogen are usually used, or special instruments that are cooled with liquid nitrogen from the inside or outside. The use of tools is preferred. Thanks to them, nitrogen removal occurs more accurately and more deeply. And also, they save a lot of time required for the procedure.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on the location of the wart – on the fingers almost always, on the feet in the sole area – depends on the size and depth of the wart. They usually swell on the body and face, but blisters may not form.

bubbles do not need to be pierced, they will sooner or later blow off and turn into crusts. However, where they interfere with working (on the fingers) or walking (plantar) – it is quite possible to pierce them a little, there will be no bad from this.

Removal of moles, papillomas and warts

More and more often, patients turn to cosmetologists and dermatologists for the removal of unwanted moles, papillomas, warts. Solar activity, skin irritation, immune, hormonal, endocrine disorders affect the growth of neoplasms.

Moles are a congenital malformation of the skin or benign tumors acquired during life. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, a mole can develop into a malignant tumor.If it is in a place that chafes or may be injured, it is best to remove it. In our clinic, you can undergo a dermatoscopy, which will allow you to determine the risk of neoplasm and determine the possibility of removing the mole.

Warts are viral benign formations on the skin. Laser removal of warts is far from an aesthetic problem. Rather, it is a vital necessity. After all, the consequences of warts are no less terrible: they, like moles, can turn into malignant tumors with a risk for a person to get cancer.

Papilloma is a benign tumor caused by the papillomavirus. People with weak immunity are more likely to be exposed to this virus. Its diagnosis is also not difficult, papilloma is easy to identify during dermatological examination. It can become the beginning of the spread of other papillomas, and therefore it must be destroyed as soon as possible.

Prevention of the formation of papillomas is not difficult: it is necessary to avoid damp conditions, at the slightest scratch or cut, be sure to treat it with an antiseptic, carry out vitamin therapy, strengthen the immune system.

In our clinic you can remove papillomas, moles, warts with a laser, this is one of the most effective and modern methods in aesthetic cosmetology!

Benefits of laser removal of moles, warts, papillomas at Renaissance Clinic

1. Efficiency. The neoplasm is removed completely and no longer occurs.

2. Security. The laser acts only on the neoplasm, without heating the surrounding skin.The laser exposure is completely controlled. Side effects are excluded.

3. Comfortable recovery period. No special maintenance required.

4. There is no age limit. Suitable even for small children. The kids calmly endure the procedure.

5. Short rehabilitation period. The session only takes a few minutes. Immediately after the completion of the procedure, the patient can return to their usual activities.

Warts | REALMED

Warts are a viral infection of the skin.These are common infectious epithelial tumors caused by more than 60 types of human papillomaviruses; some of them may become cancerous. Papillomoviruses are found in almost every person.

The virus enters the body through the skin or mucous membrane, then goes into the subepithelial layer and penetrates into the nervous tissue. You can become infected with the virus from a sick person through direct contact, for example, when shaking hands, through infected objects, in public transport.The virus can reside in the body without causing harm, enter the body along the nerve pathways, accumulate in the ganglia of the spinal cord. A person lives with a virus, unaware of its existence. Warts can appear with a decrease in immunity, nervous disorders. They can also disappear spontaneously without any treatment, and then reappear.

Warts can appear at any age, but are more common in older children; they rarely occur in older people. The infection can manifest as single or multiple warts.These are small, dense benign tumors with clear boundaries, an uneven surface, round or irregular in shape, light gray, yellow, brown or grayish-black in color. Most often they appear in places prone to trauma.

Plantar warts occur on the soles of the feet and can be quite painful. Filamentous warts are small, long and narrow growths that usually form on the eyelids, face, neck, and lips.

Flat (juvenile) warts – smooth flat yellowish-brown nodules – are usually found on the face and along scratching marks, more often in children and young people.

Genital warts (condylomas) affect the external genital organs of men and women. They look like small soft and moist bubbles of pink and red color.

Self-medication of warts is unacceptable and sometimes leads to serious consequences, inflammation often occurs, provoking the spread of this virus around, and after a week, instead of one warts, many can be seen, sometimes bluish-red dense scars form, and sometimes a formidable disease can be hidden under the guise of a wart.

Therefore, the appearance of a wart is a reason to consult a specialist.

In our clinic, Realmed, a dermato-oncologist will choose the tactics of treatment.

Cryodestruction, electro- or laser coagulation is used to remove warts. The removal procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so it is completely painless.

Removal of the wart does not indicate the disappearance of the virus from the body. To date, there are no drugs that can kill the virus, so warts can recur periodically.

Removal of warts

Removal of warts

Removal of warts

A wart is a benign tumor of the epithelium, of viral origin, which is a round or oblong skin growth, with a diameter of 1-2 mm to 1 cm or more.

Modern medicine associates the appearance of warts with infection with the human papillomavirus, the incubation period of which is up to several months.Infection occurs due to contact with an infected person or through clothing, household items, subject to a decrease in immunity or in violation of the skin.

There are three types of warts, depending on the place of their occurrence and the type of virus:

– common warts – up to 1 cm in diameter, dense, gray, gray-brown, flesh-colored, with a rough surface. They are usually localized in the area of ​​the fingers, near the nail., Back of the hand, face, scalp.Plantar warts are formations of horny layers that resemble a callus. Usually painful, timely removal is necessary.

– flat (juvenile) warts occur during adolescence. Small formations (up to 3 mm), rounded, with a flattened surface, pink or flesh-colored, localized in the area of ​​the face, neck, arms. Usually painless, but may itch. They tend to disappear on their own.

Each of the species can be cured, but this should be done under the supervision of a physician.Self-medication is contraindicated.

The Surgitron apparatus is used in our clinic. After using the device, there are no scars or burns. The crust at the site of the removed wart disappears after a few days. The operation is painless (it takes place under local anesthesia), the patient can immediately return to his usual way of life.

The procedure has some contraindications:

• infectious and viral diseases;
• diabetes mellitus;
• epilepsy;
• pregnancy, menstruation.