[Question #10688] Wart recurrence - follow up
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20 months ago
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A few months ago I asked a questions about a warst recurrence years after initial treatment.
I have since seen a dermatologist who looked at the spot and said “I’m not sure, it could be.” and proceeded to freeze it away just in case. I asked if recurrence was normal this long after and if it meant my immune system was compromised and he said unlikely and that recurrences just happen some times. I left feeling better but still anxious about the thought of recurrence.
I have since noticed another small raised area that could be a recurrence. I have an appointment Monday, but I am really going crazy and frustrated to still be thinking about warts a s HPV this many years later.
I am worried that my body has problems clearing HPV and that if I have a high risk strain it will not be cleared and it will lead to cancer.
I am just generally worried about this virus wreaking havoc in my body.
I am sick of thinking about HPV and warts. I am working with a therapist on my anxiety related to this but I need some expert information instead of trying to decipher all the info on the internet.
So I guess my question is, what is the real risk of warts? Do they ever turn in to cancer?
Is there anything I can do to help lessen the chance of recurrence and help my body clear the virus?
Does anyone ever deal with HPV forever?
Is it harder for men to clear the virus than women?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
20 months ago
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Welcome back to the forum. However, I don't think I can help very much. I have reviewed all three of your previous questions -- two more than 7 years ago, the last one three months ago (1264, 1810, 10250). I see nothing in today's questions that wasn't addressed inn one or more of the others. It is clear you are obsessed with HPV and warts. At one level, it's understandable: with long experience including possible wart recurrences, many people can become quite anxious, sometimes worsened by online searching that reveals how much uncertainty there is about some aspects of warts and HPV. On the other hand, it really isn't normal to remain as concerned as you apparently are in the face of the repeated, reasoned, science based reassurance you have had both on this forum and probably from your own doctor(s). I am skeptical that repeating variations of the same responses one more time will make much difference.
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"I have since seen a dermatologist,,,.": You don't know that this most recent penile skin bump was a wart. If it was, I agree that recurrent warts rarely indicate serious or harmful immune deficiency.
"I have since noticed....": There's a good chance your anxieties are leading you to more detailed self examination that necessary or wise. In any case, I cannot until and unless a diagnosis has been made and an HPV/wart problem is confirmed.
"I am worried that my body....": This is unlikely. Penile cancer is rare even in people with advanced immune deficiency. Anyway, penile cancer diagnosed early (within months or a couple of years) almost always is curable with minimal treatment and without disfiguring surgery.
"I am just generally worried..." and "I am sick of thinking....": You're doing the right thing in seeking professionally mental health care. I was going to suggest this even if you had not said anything. Health obsessions like this often indicate serious underlying mental health issues. I hope your counseling goes well. And I certainly agree it would be wise to stop "trying to decipher all the info on the internet".
"So I guess my question is....": This for sure was addressed in one or more of your previous threads. Please go back and re-read all three of them. Warts themselves rarely if ever "turn into cancer".
"Is there anything I can do....?" At this point, it isn't clear than you currently have recurrent warts or HPV.
"Does anyone ever deal with HPV forever?" HPV DNA may persist for life in everybody. The large majority do not have reactivated problems from it. All humans just live with the virus, usually with no health problem from it.
"Is it harder...?" I am unaware of data on gender having any effect on HPV persistence. In general, more women have more frequent problems along these lines than men do, but that's mostly due to the frequency of Pap smears in women. Men rarely have such frequent testing for HPV or its outward manifestations.
I hope these replies help a little bit. But I would emphasize my advice to re-read your previous threads and also my comments about professional counseling. Good luck with it.
HHH, MD
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20 months ago
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Thanks for your thoughtful response.
My goal(and at the request of my therapist) is to give up internet research, including this forum for the foreseeable future.
Before I log off a few final questions.
Based on your response that I may be overly inspecting myself or looking to close — would it be safe to assume that any problems, cancers or true recurrence of warts would be clearly apparent to the naked eye? And this there is no need for close inspection?
I have intentionally not requested any biopsies because I think knowing the particular strain might worsen my anxiety. Unless deemed medically necessary by my doctor do you think this is ok. Is there any use in knowing the strain?
And last just to summarize for my peace of mind: all in all my genital warts are highly unlikely to cause any problems other than being a cosmetic nuisance. Even if I suffer a recurrence, the strains of HPV that cause warts very very seldomly lead to serious problems or cancer. Is this correct?
Thanks again for taking the time to help people on this forum.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
20 months ago
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I'm glad for the additional evidence you're on the right track in your plans for both internet searching and clinical care. It's also good that you're obviously capable of viewing all this on two separate tracks: intellectual/objective understanding on the one hand, even as your emotional response keeps you worried on the other. I imagine your therapist would agree. Good show!
"Is there any use in knowing the strain?" This would not be likely to change clinical management, unless an experienced dermatologist suspects a skin growth might be early cancer or pre-cancer, and not a wart. I would rely on a dermatologist's advice about this.
"And last time just to summarize....": Here too I agree exactly.
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