Anal Warts. What Are They?
Anal warts, also known as condyloma acuminata, are one of the most common diseases affecting the anal area. They are thought of as sexually transmitted diseases, but are also easily transmitted through non-sexual contact. They affect people in large cities such as Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. And they affect people in small towns as well.
Anal warts are caused by a transmissible virus called the human papilloma virus, or HPV. The virus has many subtypes or genotypes, some of which have been linked to the development of anal or cervical cancer, and some which have been associated with the development of anal warts, or small, multiple pieces of fleshy tissue in and around the anal opening.
Warts. How To Get Rid of Them.
Nobody wants to go forward carrying a transmissible disease, especially one that is located at the anal area. Although many home remedies have been tried, few, if any, actually are effective. Proctologists, also known as colon and rectal surgeons or coloproctologists, spend a large part of each week evaluating and treating anal warts. There are several topical medications and treatments available for office use. Each has a greater or lesser chance of eradicating the disease. Sometimes, surgical therapy is needed however. What methods are available?
- Freezing of the warts.
- Burning the warts.
- Podophyllin treatment. Podophyllin is a natural resin which seems to shrink and remove the warts. There are several available preparations of podophyllin. Usually, several applications over several weeks are required.
- Trichloroacetic acid (TCA). An acid placed on the warts to chemically burn them.
- Imiquimod, also known as Aldara®. This is an immune system immunomodulator. It seems to give the local area an immune “boost” to help in removing the warts. Aldara® is usually applied by the patient, at home, over a six week period.
Regular follow up examinations are needed to evaluate ongoing treatment success and to watch for recurrences if all of the warts have disappeared. When the warts refuse to “melt away”, operative removal may be necessary. The operation is performed in an outpatient setting such as a surgical center or at Cedars-SinaiMedicalCenter. Long term follow up is necessary.
Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates.
The surgeons at Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates are skilled at diagnosing and treating even the most resistant cases of anal warts, skillfully and confidentially. First an evaluation is performed and then, patients are presented with a variety of options to treat this difficult problem. Patients have a chance to ask questions and give careful consideration to all of the recommendations. Appointments can be made by calling (310)273-2310. Appointment request forms are available online as well.
