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HPV Confused and Worried ???

Hello Doctor,

Over the past few months I
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Avatar universal
I deleted your inappropriate new thread.  Isimply cannot second guess a direct examination by an experienced colorectal surgeon. If he says you're normal, you're normal.  I fully understand why he got mad at you--so am I. Follow his advice, both about medical follow-up (if any) and to "stop looking for things and move on with life".

HHH, MD
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Like your NP, some experts believe internal warts should always be removed.  It is a matter of judgment and there are no definitive data, so nobody can say for sure your NP is wrong.  However, the majority opinion is against her.  And although some NPs may be legitimate experts on anorectal warts, most are not.  You should get a second opinion.

No prolonged discussion, please; this is something of a thread jump.

HHH, MD
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Avatar universal
I have been diagnosed with the same thing, internal anal warts. However, I don't have and have never had external anal warts.  The nurse practitioner who examined me said they have to be removed no question. I advised her that I had read and researched online as well and that most of the time they go away on their own. And she said no they don't and that they must be removed, because they could become cancerous or they could get bigger. This is contridicatory to what has been stated on here and in previous posts.  Comments?
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
4) I'm not sure it is true that "if one leaves the warts untreated that the external ones go away before the internal ones do".  As far as I know, either internal or external warts may clear up before the other does.

5) I do not know whether the risk of cancer is any higher in people in whom warts persist versus those in whom they resolve.  It makes sense, but I am unaware of any data one way or the other.  In any case, almost all warts do clear up and the risk of cancer is too low to worry about.

You might indeed have found both right and wrong information about HPV and cancer, but you don't cite any of it.  Your questions suggest you have found pretty consistent information and advice.

Thanks for the thanks about the forum--   HHH, MD
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Avatar universal
Sorry i forgot to include the rest of my questions.

4. Any reason as to why if one leaves the warts untreated that the external ones go away before the internal ones do?

5. Lastly the question is if the warts whether they are internal or external are not bothersome, does it really make a difference if they ever go away when it comes to health risks such as cancer? When I ask this I am speaking for most individuals that are not HIV positive or engaging in anal sex, whether they are male or female, or does that even matter? I think this is the main question that will put my mind at ease, and stop worry about all this regardless of whose right and who
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Although the research isn't definitive, it is likely that people with genital warts have a somewhat increased risk of anogenital cancers.  This can occur because HPV-6 and 11 probably can sometimes cause cancer (they are called "low risk" HPV types, not "zero risk"); and people with warts might, on average, have a higher risk of also being infected with a high risk type.  I agree with the statements you attribute to Dr. Klausner; there is no conflict between them and the quote from an earlier thread on this forum.  The overall risk of anal or genital cancers is very low in people with warts; and in any case, if diagnosed and treated early (within a few years of onset), almost all such cancers are easily treated and cured.

To your specific questions:

1) The distinction between a "nuisance" and a serious health problem is subjective; each infected person probably has his or her own opinion.  The medical and public health consensus is that warts are more an inconvenience than a serious health threat.

2) There are no guarantees, just probabilities.  Those probabilities indicate that most people with genital or anal warts shouldn't much worry about it, but follow their providers' advice about symptoms to look for and possible future re-examination.  And they should put the risk into a realistic perspective.  We're talking lightning-strike range of probabilities; the chance of cancer is far less than the chance of dying on any particular day due to an accident or unexpected illness.

3) Routine genital warts do not require biopsy.  Criteria for biopsy include certain appearances and, mostly, failure to respond to routine treatment.

Bottom line:  The risks are low, generally not worth losing sleep about.  The more you look for potential conflicts in recommendations online, the more you will find.  Given the extensive online research you apparently have done, my suggestion is that it is time to stop, go on with life, and follow your provider's advice.

Good luck--  HHH, MD
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