Can Papilloma Turn Into Cancer?
A papilloma is a growth on the skin, which can look quite odd and worrying. The good news is that papilloma is not cancerous. In addition, it can’t turn into skin cancer, as the causes are completely different.
Papilloma are usually caused by HPV – Human Papillomavirus. This is the same family of viruses that causes common warts on the fingers, hands, face and genital areas.
A papilloma is an outward growth on the skin, normally raised from the skin’s surface. They are often lumpy or rough in texture and usually look darker than the surrounding skin. They can also become quite large, typically between 1-5cm, so they tend to be quite noticeable.
If you have any kind of unusual skin lesion then it is always worth getting a proper diagnosis to rule out skin cancer. Skin cancer takes many forms and some do look quite similar to other skin blemishes or lesions.
However, if you have already seen a doctor or dermatologist and been told that you have a papilloma, then you don’t need to worry unless things change. Papillomas do not spread and they do not grow aggressively or quickly at all. So if you have a papilloma that starts to evolve quickly or has other odd symptoms, then it is worth getting it checked again.
How to get rid of papilloma
Papillomas are particularly unwelcome due to their appearance, so most people are quite keen to get rid of them.
As they are not deemed to be harmful from a medical perspective, the NHS rarely fund treatment in the UK. However, private companies such as the London Mole Removal Center offer treatment to remove the papilloma. Treatment can be offered same day and is entirely pain-free as our expert doctors use local anaesthetic where required.
If you don’t like the idea of spending money on surgery then you could certainly try being patient to see if the papilloma might disappear of its own accord without treatment. However, they may not do and you can soon find you’ve had them for many years.
Papilloma Removal By Doctors/Surgeons
The team at London Mole Removal Centre are highly trained and experienced in dealing with papilloma, warts and other difficult skin lesions. The solutions recommended will depend on the the doctor’s assessment and diagnosis of the problem. Options include:
- Curettage – effectively ‘scraping’ the lesion away under local anaesthetic, before using cautery to stop the bleeding for fast healing and a neat result
- Laser treatment
- Surgical excision – using a scalpel to completely remove the blemish and its roots. Usually requires stitches. This is for deep and large papilloma
As mole removal experts, they are also highly experienced in identifying skin cancers. Any worrying lesions can be sent for independent histology/testing for peace of mind.
Book an Appointment
London Mole Removal Centre offer appointments at a choice of 5 private skin treatment centres based in London and Bristol. All consultations and treatments are carried out in person by doctors who are specially trained in the latest laser and skin surgery techniques and are highly experienced in the field. Most skin lesions can be removed at the same appointment as the consultation, but there is no obligation to proceed unless and until both the patient and doctor are completely happy to do so.
For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7731 3791.
They may recommend treatments such as freezing or removing the wart, or they may suggest other ways to reduce your risk of getting warts in the future.
