Service
Anal warts (condylomas) and papillomas
- Section
- Services
- Specialist
- Op. Dr. Dilara Hasanova
- Clinic
- Modern Hospital, Baku
- The doctor's practice — examinations and treatments Dr. Hasanova performs herself
- General information — educational text about diseases and methods
What are anal warts (condylomas)?
Short answer
Anal warts (condylomas) are warts caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that form around the anus and in the anal canal. They are spread mainly through sexual contact. They start as small, flesh-colored or pink bumps and, if not treated, can multiply and turn into “cauliflower-like” growths.
Symptoms
- Small, flesh-colored bumps around the anus or in the anal canal
- Itching, wetness, mucous discharge
- Sometimes bleeding
- Growths multiplying and merging
Anal itching and bumps can also occur in other conditions (hemorrhoids, anal polyp, dermatitis). The diagnosis is made by examination.
Risk factors
- HPV infection, infection in the sexual partner
- Weakened immunity
- Smoking
Treatment
General information
Treatment is chosen according to the number, size and location of the growths:
- Burning off the growths (electrocoagulation or other ablation methods)
- Surgical removal
- In selected cases, local medications or cryotherapy
The removed tissue is sent for histological examination. New condylomas can develop in the remaining HPV-infected skin and mucous membrane, so follow-up after treatment is important. It is recommended that the sexual partner also be examined (by a urologist-andrologist for men, a gynecologist for women) and that sexual intercourse be avoided during the treatment period. The HPV vaccine protects against some types of HPV; talk to your doctor about this. During pregnancy, the treatment method is chosen together with a gynecologist.
The doctor's practice
Examinations and treatments Dr. Hasanova performs herself
- She treats anal warts and papillomas by burning them off (ablation) and by surgical removal.
- She sends the removed growths for histopathological examination.
- She uses disposable instrument sets in operations on patients with condylomas and HPV.
- She recommends examination of the partner and follow-up after treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Can anal warts (condylomas) go away on their own?
Sometimes condylomas can shrink on their own, but often they multiply and spread, and the risk of infecting a partner remains. That is why treatment is recommended. Early treatment means a smaller procedure.
Are condyloma and papilloma the same thing?
Anogenital condylomas are linked to HPV. “Papilloma” is a broader term and is sometimes also used for skin growths that have no connection to HPV. The exact type of growths that look similar is determined by a doctor's examination and, when needed, by histological examination.
Can condylomas come back after they are removed?
Yes. Because the HPV infection can remain in the body, new growths can appear. Follow-up visits after treatment, together with examination and treatment of the partner, reduce the risk of recurrence.