A benign tumor
growing on the outermost
layer of cells of the skin or of a mucous membrane, commonly as a mass on a stalk. Papillomas, which
include growths such as
warts and polyps, are
found most often in the mucous membranes that line the intestinal and
urinary tracts. Only rarely do they become malignant.
Papillomas may occur on any part of the skin and are
especially common in the elderly. Usually they remain small, but occasionally they
reach the size of an egg or an orange. Papillomas normally are
treated by cautery; the
larger ones can be
removed surgically by cutting
through the supporting stalk.
Intestinal papillomas are most common in the
colon and rectum, where they sometimes bleed. They may be single (of
unknown cause) or multiple---a
condition known as
familial polyposis coli, which is inherited. The latter form must be regarded as premalignant, since malignant change in this type of
papilloma is quite common.
Single papillomas can often be removed by using a proctosigmoidoscope a special
instrument inserted into the
lower part of the
large intestine via the rectum; multiple polyps are best treated by surgical
removal of the affected
portion of the bowel.
In the urinary tract, papillomas are most
common in the bladder,
though they can occur
anywhere from the kidney to the urethra (the
passage through which urine is voided). The cause
common in persons who have worked in the
rubber industry and in
persons who smoke. These
papillomas are all potentially malignant, and thus should be removed. In the
bladder this is usually done through a cystoscope (a special instrument for
examining the interior of the urinary bladder). Recurrence is common, and life-long
regular cystoscopy usually is
necessary once the diagnosis is made.