Anal Warts
What are anal warts?
Anal warts (also called "condyloma acuminata") create a bothersome condition that affects the area around the anus. They may also affect the skin of the genital area. They first appear as tiny blemishes, perhaps as small as the head of a pin, and may grow larger than the size of a pea. Usually, they do not cause pain or discomfort to afflicted individuals. As a result, patients may be unaware that the warts are present.
Where do these warts come from?
Anal warts are believed to be caused by the human papilloma virus, which is relatively contagious. The virus can be transmitted from person to person, almost always by direct contact.
Do these warts always need to be removed?
Yes. If they are not removed, the warts generally grow larger and become more and more numerous. In addition, there is evidence that these warts can become cancerous if left untreated for a long time.
What treatments are available
The major form of treatment involves more rapid destruction of the warts by freezing using a cryosurgery technique.Warts inside the anal canal usually are suitable for treatment by cryosurgery.
Must I be hospitalized for treatment?
No. Almost always, the cryosurgery technique can be performed on an outpatient basis, and the patient can go home after the procedure.
Will a single treatment cure the problem?
Not in most cases, unfortunately. Even with cryosurgery and surgical treatments that immediately destroy existing warts, many patients develop new warts after treatment. This occurs because the viruses that cause the warts can live under the surface of the skin, allowing the skin to appear normal for up to six months or longer before another wart develops.
As new warts develop, they usually can be treated in the dermatologists' office, using the cryosurgery procedure as new warts become smaller and less numerous.
Sometimes new warts develop so rapidly that office treatment would be quite uncomfortable if all were removed at the same time. In these situations, a second, and occasionally third outpatient surgical visit may be recommended.
Is treatment usually continued?
Follow-up visits are necessary for some months after the last wart is observed to be certain that no more warts occur from viruses living in the cells of skin.
Warts inside the anal canal usually are suitable for treatment by cryosurgery.
Must I be hospitalized for treatment?No. Almost always, the cryosurgery technique can be performed on an outpatient basis, and the patient can go home after the procedure.
Will a single treatment cure the problem?Not in most cases, unfortunately. Even with cryosurgery and surgical treatments that immediately destroy existing warts, many patients develop new warts after treatment. This occurs because the viruses that cause the warts can live under the surface of the skin, allowing the skin to appear normal for up to six months or longer before another wart develops.
As new warts develop, they usually can be treated in the dermatologists' office, using the cryosurgery procedure as new warts become smaller and less numerous.
Sometimes new warts develop so rapidly that office treatment would be quite uncomfortable if all were removed at the same time. In these situations, a second, and occasionally third outpatient surgical visit may be recommended.
Follow-up visits are necessary for some months after the last wart is observed to be certain that no more warts occur from viruses living in the cells of skin.
