Did you know that treating anal warts early may help in avoiding anal cancer?
If you've discovered or think you might have anal warts, you should see a gastroenterologist to verify what you are experiencing. When left untreated, anal warts can lead to cancer in many men - especially if you have low or compromised immunity.
What are Anal Warts?
Anal warts (a type of genital warts) are warts around and inside the anus. According to The American Society of Colon and Rectum Surgeons, the size of anal warts can range from the size of a pinhead up to the entire rectal area. Anal warts come in three shapes: flat, cauliflower-shaped, or raised. Since they can be located inside the anus, you could have anal warts and not know.
What Causes Anal Warts?
Anal warts are caused by a Human Papillomavirus infection (HPV). HPV is a very common sexually transmitted disease that can resolve on its own, or cause anal warts to form, and can lead to cancer. Anal warts are part of a group of HPV warts, including warts on and around the anus, testicles, penis, groin, or thighs. You might have as few as one on or inside the anus, up to many located in various areas.
HPV in Men
HPV in men manifests in a few different ways. HPV Symptoms in men often include HPV warts, but you could have HPV with no health-related problems or symptoms. This is a key factor in why it is so common, and why it spreads.
For many men, HPV can lead to penile or anal cancer. 800 men per year develop penile cancer due to HPV. And 1,100 men per year develop anal cancer due to HPV.
The following signs and symptoms might indicate anal cancer, and should be communicated to your doctor:
anal discharge, pain, itching, or bleeding.
enlarged lymph nodes in the groin or anal area.
stool-shape changes
changes in bowel movements
Are Anal Warts Contagious?
Anal warts caused by Human Papilloma Virus can be sexually transmitted. The sexual experience that resulted in HPV for a man doesn't have to be recent, and you can get it even if you've only ever had one sexual partner.
Other ways of spreading HPV and genital warts:
contact from hand to the anal area
body fluids from an infected person
Is There an HPV Test for Men?
Since HPV is often undetected, patients can have the virus for years without knowing, passing it on from partner to partner. However, the virus often clears up on its own without causing health problems.
"Over 20 million people in this country have HPV, and most do not know it."
Unfortunately, there isn't a test for HPV in men. While there aren’t any approved tests for finding genital warts, you can often see them.
Testing for HPV-Caused Health Problems
Since HPV is common and can disappear on its own, it's essential to focus on testing for the diseases that HPV can cause. For instance, there are anal pap tests that test for anal cancer.
The best thing you can do if you think you have anal warts, HPV, or anal cancer is to make an appointment with a healthcare provider.
HPV and Anal Wart Prevention
HPV vaccines (Gardasil) can prevent nine types of HPV - some that cause anal warts, and some that can cause cancer. It works best before the first sexual encounter, and it effectively prevents HPV, as long as you don't already have it.
The age group in which the vaccine is effective is 9-45
It comes in a three-shot series over a six-month timespan
There are other ways to prevent HPV, as well. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons recommends:
avoid sexual contact with people who have genital warts
have only one sex partner at any given time
avoid sexual contact altogether
have your sexual partners screened for STDs, including HPV - with or with symptoms
condoms reduce the risk of contracting HPV, but they aren't fully effective
HPV Treatment
While there is no HPV treatment specifically, you can treat the problems HPV causes, like anal warts. It's essential to treat anal or genital warts as soon as you notice them because HPV can cause many types of cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when HPV causes cancer, the cancer can begin developing at any point and may do so slowly.
What Types of Cancer Can HPV Cause in Men?
The types of cancer HPV can cause in men include:
Penile cancer
Anal cancer
Oropharyngeal cancer (located where the tongue and tonsils meet)
Some men develop HPV-related cancers more easily than others. Men who possess a weak or compromised immune system (with or without HIV) are more likely to develop HPV-related cancers. According to the CDC, men receiving anal sex are not only more likely to develop HPV-related cancers, but they’re also more likely to suffer from anal cancer.
Anal Wart Treatments
Anal warts must be removed, or they might grow, or you might develop several more anal warts. Anal wart treatments come in two types: surgical or non-surgical. Unfortunately, warts located inside the anus might not disappear with a topical medication, meaning surgery might be necessary.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Anal Warts
HPV anal cream works best if the warts are tiny or are only located on the skin
Liquid nitrogen may be utilized by your doctor to completely freeze and thereby destroy anal warts
Trichloroacetic acid or Podophyllin may be used by your doctor to burn off warts in a safe manner
Surgical Treatment for Anal Warts
In cases of large warts or internal anal warts, surgery is the best option. After an internal exam to look for inside lesions, your doctor will let you know if they will surgically remove your warts and schedule your surgery. Then, your gastroenterologist performs the surgery following anesthesia. Lastly, your physician may schedule multiple surgeries if there are multiple warts.
If you're suffering from anal warts, don't wait.
Dr. Dale Prokupek's patients highly recommend him, and he received the Patient's Choice Award. A gastroenterologist and an associate clinical professor of medicine at the Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Dr. Prokupek takes his appointments in his private practice, located in Beverly Hills and the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Click here to schedule an appointment.