As you run your tongue around your mouth and come across something that wasn’t there before – the mind begins to race as to what in the world is happening. The human papillomavirus (HPV) can strike the oral cavity or the lips, causing raised lesions to form – better known as oral warts. Although painless until disrupted, a patient are most often concerned with ruling out the possibility of a cancerous growth when oral warts develop in the mouth.
Signs and Diagnosis
Upon examination of the oral cavity, the warts may offer a variety of appearances. Some are small, smooth and slightly raised, while others resemble a cauliflower-like growth or spiky growths that show prominent folds. When warts are present in the mouth or throat, a patient may face difficulties swallowing.
In order to diagnose oral warts, a doctor will pay attention to the appearance of the oral lesions. If the lesions showcase an unusual appearance, appear ulcerated, or have grown a considerable amount over a short period of time – a biopsy is performed to exclude cancer as a cause. Sometimes, a lesion develops because of other reasons, such as a patient that possesses a habit for tongue thrusting or cheek biting.
In some cases, a doctor may choose an electron micropsy to identify an HPV infection in the mouth, although this is not considered a routine measure.
Risk Factors
Individuals who face a higher risk for oral warts may fall into the following categories:
- HIV Patients: A patient inflicted with HIV (especially those with increasing immune suppression) will experience oral warts more than an individual with a normal immune system.
- Antiretroviral Therapy: The frequency of oral warts may increase in patients treated with this kind of therapy – at least temporarily in most cases.
- Sexual Partners: The more sexual partners an individual has experienced – the higher the chances of developing an HPV infection become.
Treatment for Oral Warts
Since HPV lesions tend to reemerge, locating a definite treatment is near impossible. However, a patient can tame current outbreaks with cryosurgery, surgical removal, or laser excision. Most individuals would most likely side with topical solutions, as using chemicals and freezing techniques have been known to damage the tissues found in the lining of the mouth.
The same results have been found with using carbon-dioxide lasers to burn warts, as this hasn't proved very effective in the majority of patients with oral concerns. Unfortunately, oral wart reoccurrences reappear more frequently over a larger region because HPV particles are able to spread in regards to this technique.
When oral warts are found on the lips or in the corner of the mouth – this is referred to as an extraoral lesion. Topical approaches are most often used to treat this condition. Common recommendations include podofilox topical solutions (such as Condylox) or fluorouracil 5% topical (like Efudex). In an effort to lessen the chances of another outbreak after treatment, a doctor may prescribe Imiquimod 5% cream (such as Aldara) as a precaution. Depending on the severity or location of oral warts, a dentist or oral health specialist can sometimes provide adequate treatment.
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