Condyloma is the medical name for anogenital warts, caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). It’s a commonly occurring sexually transmitted infection, creating growths around the anus and genitals.
Appearing as small bumps or sometimes in larger clusters, condyloma usually aren’t always associated with cancer. Many are caused by low-risk HPV strains, however, high-risk strains can be present and have the potential to become cancerous if left untreated.
Therefore, condyloma should be treated. Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists in Parker, Colorado, has you covered.
Treating condyloma removes the visible signs of infection, which in turn can relieve any symptoms of irritation that may arise. On their own, anal warts are usually painless, but it’s possible for raised warts to respond to friction from clothing or movement.
Treatment addresses the existing warts only. If the strains of HPV that caused the warts are active in your body, you may find that new condyloma can form. Any new or unusual growth in the anal region should be evaluated by our proctologist, Dr. Lisa A. Perryman, to assure an accurate diagnosis.
Without treatment, condyloma lesions may continue growing, becoming unsightly and more likely to cause irritation or even progress to anal cancer. Dr. Perryman matches treatment to the status of your condition, typically starting with conservative treatments, considering more aggressive therapies only when milder alternatives fail to resolve your symptoms.
Condyloma treatments include:
User-applied medications like imiquimod or podofilox may be a first-line treatment. A typical treatment duration includes repeated applications over a course lasting several weeks that destroy wart tissue and stimulate an immune response against the virus. Some local irritation is possible during treatment.
Topical chemical solutions or cryotherapy can remove anal warts. Simple warts may require only a single treatment, while extensive or persistent lesions may require repeated applications. Irritation in the treatment area is also possible.
More aggressive warts require more aggressive solutions, modalities like electrosurgery, laser treatment, or surgical excision. In the case of warts that are already large or symptomatic, surgery may be the best approach.
Given the individual variances in condyloma formation, there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment. Your ideal solution starts with a visit to Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists for a personal, discrete consultation with Dr. Perryman. Call or click today to schedule your visit.
